A young woman has died and a man has been left seriously injured after a double shark attack in Australia.
The victim, who was in her 20s, was in the water off a beach near Crowdy Bay on the New South Wales coast.when tragedy struck.
Emergency responders were alerted to the incident at approximately 6.30am after receiving reports that a shark had bitten two individuals.
Despite efforts from bystanders who provided immediate assistance before paramedics arrived, the woman could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the location.
A second person, a man also believed to be in his 20s, suffered severe injuries in the same incident.
He was transported by air ambulance to John Hunter Hospital where medical staff are treating him for his wounds.
According to NSW Police, members of the public who witnessed the attack provided aid to both victims before professional medical teams could reach the scene.
“Witnesses assisted the pair prior to the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, the woman died at the scene,” a police spokesman said.
Authorities are still trying to establish what kind of shark was behind the attack
|
WIKIMEDIA COMMONSAuthorities have shut down the beach following the fatal incident while investigators examine the area where the attack took place.
Police are working alongside specialists from the Department of Primary Industries to identify which shark species was responsible.
Officials will now compile a comprehensive report for the coroner as part of standard procedures following the woman’s death.
This marks another serious shark incident along the NSW coastline.
SHARK ATTACKS – READ MORE:
Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce said the location was “extremely remote” and had no lifeguard services.
“Tragically, one young woman has died, and a man has been flown to hospital with serious injuries,” he said.
“These incidents are horrific for everyone – and unfortunately, we’ve had a few this year already.”
According to the Australian Shark Incident Database, there have been nearly 1,300 shark “incidents” since records began in 1791.
Some are classed as “provoked” incidents – like when a person creates bait by spearfishing, or snorkels near the marine predators.
Others are “unprovoked” – like if a shark tries to bite a human not going out of their way to rile it up.
Last year Australia saw 13 unprovoked bites, which didn’t kill anyone – though that was 10 fewer than in 2023, which saw four deaths and 23 bites.
