In brief
A 35‑year‑old woman was seriously injured when a shark bit her at Coogee Beach in Sydney on Saturday morning, police say. She was pulled from the water by bystanders and given first aid before being air‑lifted to a hospital. Authorities closed several nearby beaches as a precautionary measure. The incident follows a series of Australian shark attacks over recent years, where over 260 cases have been fatal since 1791. While Australia has the highest number of recorded attacks, most casualties are not fatal.
A 35‑year‑old woman was severely injured after a shark bit her at Coogee Beach in Sydney on Saturday, according to New South Wales Police. Emergency services were called to the beach, and bystanders pulled her out of the water and provided first aid before medical staff cut her arms and legs.
She was air‑lifted by helicopter to a hospital, and several nearby beaches were closed as a precautionary measure. Witnesses reported a massive pool of blood in the water, followed by frantic attempts by a ski paddler to get her to safety.
The attack comes after a series of Australian shark incidents: a diver died last week after a suspected 4.5‑m shark attack southeast of Perth, and earlier this year a father‑of‑two was killed near Perth. Since records began in 1791, nearly 1,300 shark attacks have been documented in Australia, with more than 260 fatal cases.
Popular swimming and surfing spots across Australia often implement shark‑deterrent measures, yet incidents still occur. Authorities continue to monitor coastal waters and update safety protocols to reduce the risk to beachgoers.
