A popular family beach in Sydney Harbour has been closed after a devastating shark attack left a 12-year-old boy fighting for his life in hospital.
Emergency Response at Shark Beach
The serious incident occurred at approximately 4:20pm on Sunday at Nielsen Park in the suburb of Vaucluse. The location, known locally as 'Shark Beach', is a favoured coastal destination which features a netted swimming area designed to protect visitors.
It is believed the young victim was jumping off rocks at one end of the beach, outside of this protected netted zone, when he was ambushed by what is suspected to be a large shark. Members of the public raised the alarm, prompting a major emergency service response.
Critical Care for Life-Threatening Injuries
New South Wales Police officers rescued the boy from the water. He had sustained severe trauma to his legs, resulting in life-threatening bleeding. Paramedics provided immediate critical care on a NSW Water Police vessel, applying two medical tourniquets to his limbs in a bid to stabilise him.
The boy was initially taken to the Rose Bay West Boat Ramp, roughly 7km east of Sydney's Central Business District. From there, he was airlifted by an intensive care helicopter to Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick, where he remains in a critical condition.
Beach Closure and Public Warnings
In the wake of the attack, authorities have shut down Shark Beach and issued stern advice for people to stay out of the water. A police statement confirmed the closure, advising swimmers to avoid entering the nearby waters entirely while the threat is assessed.
The seasonal shark netting at Nielsen Park, a deterrent installed during the warmer Australian summer months, was only completed in early December last year following installation delays. This netting defines the safe swimming area, which the boy was outside of at the time of the attack.
It is currently unclear when the beach will be reopened to the public. For now, locals and tourists are being urged to steer clear of the potentially dangerous waters as investigations continue.
