A woman in her 30s has been airlifted to hospital after being attacked by a shark while swimming at Coogee Beach in Sydney, Australia. Emergency services were called to the popular beach just before 11:15 AM on Saturday, June 13, following reports of a shark biting a swimmer close to the shore.
Injuries Sustained
The swimmer suffered serious injuries to her arm and leg, according to police. A witness reported seeing a lifeguard rush to assist the woman after screams were heard. The witness told local media: 'I saw the shark's fins. A swimmer was doing laps not far from shore. The lifeguard made an X symbol with his arms and the shark alarm sounded.' The witness also described 'a lot of blood' in the water, suggesting the woman may have been bitten on the torso.
Rescue and Response
New South Wales police confirmed that members of the public pulled the woman from the water and began administering first aid. Officers provided further first aid before a helicopter airlifted her to hospital in a critical condition. Nearby beaches, including Coogee, Clovelly, and Bronte, have been closed as a precaution.
Previous Shark Attacks
This incident follows a fatal shark attack in January when 12-year-old Nico Antic was mauled in Sydney's east. He died later that month, marking the first in a series of shark attacks in the area.
