Eyewitness describes ‘thrashing’ scene after shark attack at Coogee beach
Emergency services and beachgoers provided immediate aid before paramedics arrived
A woman in her 30s is in critical condition after a shark attack at Coogee Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, June 13, prompting an emergency response and the closure of several nearby beaches.
According to the New South Wales Police, emergency services were called around 11:15 a.m. local time after reports that a swimmer had been bitten by a shark offshore.
Police said the woman was pulled from the water by members of the public, who immediately began first aid before emergency responders arrived at the scene.
“The woman was pulled from the water by members of the public who commenced first aid before the arrival of emergency services,” authorities said in a statement.
Responding officers and paramedics treated the woman on the beach before she was transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney in critical condition, according to the New South Wales Ambulance.
Officials said she suffered significant injuries to her left lower leg and upper arms, with reports indicating the attack involved a shark several feet in length.
Emergency personnel and beachgoers were seen gathering around the injured woman as she received treatment, with towels used to help manage her wounds, according to images from the scene.
An eyewitness described the moments leading up to the attack as chaotic and violent.
“I think the woman had been doing laps in the ocean beforehand, then there was a lot of splashing and thrashing around,” the witness told Nine News. “There was a huge amount of blood in the water.”
A video shared by The Sydney Morning Herald reportedly showed a shark swimming away from the area shortly after the incident.
Local officials praised the quick response of lifeguards and emergency crews as authorities moved to secure the area.
“Council lifeguards and emergency responders acted quickly in difficult circumstances, and their efforts have been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker, according to News.com.au.
He added that witnesses were deeply shaken by the incident and extended support to the victim and her family.
“Our hearts and thoughts go out to the woman, her friends and family. The whole community is behind her and wishing her a speedy recovery,” he said.
Following the attack, Coogee Beach and nearby beaches including Clovelly and Bronte were temporarily closed as authorities assessed the situation and continued monitoring the coastline.
