A relaxing day at the beach turned terrifying when a 59-year-old woman was attacked by a shark at Gunyah Beach, near the south Sydney suburb of Port Hacking. The incident happened around 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7, and left the woman with serious leg injuries.
According to reports, two quick-thinking men pulled the injured woman out of the water and onto nearby rocks after the attack. Paramedics arrived soon after and found her in a critical condition. But thanks to the heroic efforts of the bystanders, who used towels to create a makeshift tourniquet and stop the bleeding, they were able to stabilize her before rushing her to the hospital.
Acting Inspector Andrew Bibby from New South Wales Ambulance praised the men for their fast and effective response. “The first aid they applied was absolutely spot on,” he said. “They really laid a great foundation for the work we were able to do.”
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Despite her injuries, the woman managed to explain what happened. She described feeling a sudden, unexpected strike to her leg, followed by excruciating pain. Although she didn’t see what hit her, authorities believe a shark was most likely responsible.
Local resident Nikki Ahern told the Sydney Morning Herald that shark sightings aren’t uncommon in the area. “When there’s been a shark spotted, some people feel a bit nervous, so we try not to say the ‘S’ word when we’re swimming,” she joked.
Still, she added that not every encounter in the water is scary. “We have dolphins go round us and under us, and we get a fright at first. It’s always a relief to know it’s a dolphin.”
As of now, the woman is in serious but stable condition, and the community is hoping for her speedy recovery.
