A shark attack at Kylies Beach in Crowdy Bay National Park on Australia’s east coast resulted in the death of a woman and serious injuries to a man early on Thursday, according to local authorities. The incident occurred around 06:30 when two swimmers, identified as being in their mid-20s, were bitten by the shark.
This beach, located approximately 224 miles north of Sydney, attracts visitors for its camping, fishing, and hiking opportunities. Following the attack, police closed nearby beaches indefinitely to ensure public safety. Police Chief Inspector Timothy Bayly confirmed that the victims were known to each other and had been swimming when the shark struck.
Emergency services responded promptly, with a bystander administering first aid before paramedics arrived. Tragically, the woman succumbed to her injuries at the scene. The man was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where paramedic Josh Smyth reported that his condition was serious but stable. Smyth noted that the bystander’s quick actions likely prevented a second fatality.
“I just really need to have a shoutout to the bystander on the beach who put a makeshift tourniquet on the male’s leg which obviously potentially saved his life,” Smyth stated.
Authorities have not released the identities of the victims, but local media reports indicate they were European tourists. In response to the attack, police and marine experts will investigate to determine the species of shark involved.
Five drumlines—baited hooks suspended from buoys—were deployed off Kylies Beach in an effort to catch the responsible shark. These drumlines are already in place at nearby locations, including Port Macquarie to the north and Forster to the south, as part of ongoing efforts to reduce shark populations in the area.
According to Gavin Naylor, director of the University of Florida’s shark research program, it is rare for a single shark to attack multiple people. “It is very unusual. Individual shark attacks are rare, and shark attacks on two people by the same individual is not unheard of, but it’s very rare,” Naylor explained.
He emphasized the need for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the size of the shark and the presence of other potential prey. “Sometimes younger sharks are less judicious and they can make mistakes,” Naylor added.
In a similar incident in 2019, two British tourists were attacked by a single shark while snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, resulting in significant injuries. Just last September, a shark fatally mauled a surfer off a beach in Sydney.
As authorities continue their investigation, the tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with marine life in coastal areas.
