A dramatic rescue unfolded off the coast of Cape Naturaliste, Western Australia, when a helicopter crew used a loud siren to alert two divers unaware of a 14ft great white shark circling nearby. The incident was captured on video and shared by Surf Life Saving WA, showing the shark swimming closer to the divers as the helicopter circled overhead. The siren prompted the pair to flee on their jet ski to safety.
The shark, estimated at 4.5 metres, was spotted approximately 10 metres from the shore. A spokesperson for Surf Life Saving WA said: 'Yesterday morning, our Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter spotted a 4.5m white shark approx 10m off Cape Naturalist, circling two divers. Unaware of the danger, our crew sounded the siren, alerting the divers who exited the water onto their jet ski and headed to safety.'
The footage quickly went viral, racking up over 2.1 million views and more than 26,000 likes. Social media users reacted with a mix of shock and gratitude. One commenter said: 'Well done guys. Thanks for your great work,' while another referenced the film Jaws, saying: 'We're going to need a bigger helicopter.'
The incident comes amid a spate of shark attacks in Australia. Last month, 12-year-old Nico Antic died after being attacked by a bull shark while jumping off a rock ledge near Shark Beach in Sydney. His family described him as a 'happy, friendly and sporty young boy' and thanked emergency services for their efforts.
