A 25-year-old Swiss academic has been killed in a shark attack off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, while her boyfriend remains in critical condition after trying to save her.
Livia Mühlheim, a former synchronised swimmer, was swimming with her partner Lukas Schindler, 26, near Kylies Beach at Crowdy Bay early on Thursday morning when a bull shark attacked them. The beach is known as a shark hotspot.
Ms Mühlheim had been filming a pod of dolphins with a GoPro when the three-metre shark bit her multiple times, severing her left arm. Mr Schindler, a diving instructor, fought the shark but was bitten twice on the leg. Despite his injuries, he dragged his partner more than 50 metres to shore, where bystanders provided assistance.
Emergency services were called at around 6.30am, but Ms Mühlheim died before paramedics arrived. Mr Schindler was stabilised and airlifted to John Hunter Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. A passer-by who made a tourniquet to stem his bleeding was praised for her heroic actions.
The couple were both experienced swimmers. Mr Schindler had completed the Sydney Marathon in under three hours, while Ms Mühlheim was a passionate runner. Authorities are reviewing footage captured by the couple before the attack. Kylies Beach has been closed, and drones are being used to locate the shark, believed to be a large bull shark.
This is the fifth fatal shark attack in Australia this year. Bull sharks are considered potentially dangerous and are the third deadliest shark species recorded.
