A teenage boy has been airlifted to hospital in a critical condition after being attacked by a shark in Far North Queensland.

The teenager, in his mid-teens, was swimming near Cook Esplanade on Thursday Island, at the top end of Queensland on Saturday when the attack occurred.

A spokesperson for the Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed to SkyNews.com.au the shark bites occurred about 6:23pm.

He was significantly bitten in the abdominal region and he was rushed to a nearby hospital.

The injury was so severe he was then airlifted to Townsville University Hospital in a life threatening condition.

As of Sunday morning, the boy is in a critical condition remaining at the same hospital.

He is yet to be formally identified.

Shark attacks are typically uncommon in the area of Thursday Isl

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