Authorities in Sydney have imposed a sweeping lockdown on beaches across the city's northern coastline following a terrifying series of three shark attacks in just 26 hours. The incidents, which left a man fighting for his life and two children injured, have prompted urgent safety reviews and widespread closures.
A Terrifying Sequence of Attacks
The most recent and serious attack occurred at North Steyne Beach in Manly at approximately 6:20pm on Monday. A surfer in his 20s suffered a severe bite to his lower leg and was dragged from the water by fellow beachgoers who administered critical first aid. Paramedics treated him on the sand before he was rushed to the Royal North Shore Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.
Earlier on Monday, an 11-year-old boy was knocked from his surfboard by a large shark at Dee Why Point. The predator took several bites out of his board, but the boy escaped serious injury. This attack happened while the beach was officially closed due to dangerous swell conditions, with shark nets deployed as normal.
The spate of attacks began on Sunday afternoon at Shark Beach in Vaucluse. A 12-year-old boy was bitten while swimming with friends at a popular jump rock located outside the netted swimming enclosure. His friends courageously helped him to shore.
Emergency Response and Expert Analysis
In response to the crisis, NSW Police confirmed the closure of all Northern Beaches until further notice, with the situation under ongoing review. Northern Beaches Council lifeguards immediately erected warning signs and dispatched jet skis to patrol the waters. Surf Life Saving NSW launched a drone to assist in locating the shark, though no further sightings have been reported.
Shark biologists from the primary industries department examined the 15cm bite mark on the young surfer's board from the Manly incident. They concluded the attacker was most likely a bull shark. Experts note that January and February are the peak season for bull sharks in the Sydney area, and it is believed bull sharks were involved in the other two attacks as well.
Perfect Storm of Conditions
Police have urged the public to avoid swimming in murky, low-visibility water. Superintendent Joseph McNulty explained that recent heavy rainfall, which bucketed down over the weekend, created a 'perfect storm' for shark activity. The extra fresh water in the harbour, combined with the splashing from people jumping off rocks, is thought to have contributed to Sunday's attack at Vaucluse.
Furthermore, heavy swells have prevented the operation of smart drumlines along much of the NSW coast since Sunday. These drumlines are a key tool, designed to alert authorities to shark presence.
The Northern Beaches Council has stated that lifeguards will continue patrols, and the community is awaiting updates on when it might be safe to return to the water.
