A girl has been mauled by a shark in the Whitsundays, the second person to be attacked in less than 24 hours.

The 12-year-old girl was bitten on the leg just before 2pm on Thursday at Cid Harbour.

She’s in a serious condition and has been flown to the Mackay Base Hospital.

The attack comes after a 46-year-old Tasmanian woman was mauled by a shark on Wednesday evening.

Mother-of-two Justine Barwick was attacked while snorkelling, at a location close to where the young girl was attacked.

Ms Barwick has had surgery on her left thigh but remains in a critical condition.