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A shark attack in New South Wales, Australia, resulted in one fatality and serious injuries to another on Thursday. Authorities reported the incident occurred early in the morning at Crowdy Bay, approximately 155 miles north of Sydney. One woman died instantly, and another individual suffered severe leg injuries, requiring air evacuation to a nearby hospital where they are reported to be in stable condition.
According to NSW Police Inspector Timothy Bayly, the victims knew each other, and they were swimming when the shark struck. State ambulance inspector Joshua Smyth commended a bystander who potentially saved the injured man’s life by applying a makeshift tourniquet to his leg. Smyth praised the bystanders’ bravery during the crisis.
Steven Pearce, CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW, described the event as “absolutely terrible” and mentioned that the area is very remote, with no lifeguard services available. The affected beach and surrounding areas are now closed as officials investigate which species of shark was responsible.
Since 1791, Australia has experienced over 1,280 shark incidents, with more than 250 fatalities. The most common aggressors are great whites, tiger sharks, and bull sharks. In September, a great white killed a surfer at a popular Sydney beach, leaving behind a wife and young daughter. The victim sustained multiple amputations, and his surfboard was shattered.
Despite the dangers, many Australians continue to enjoy the ocean. A 2024 survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of the population made 650 million visits to the coast in a year. Efforts to safeguard swimmers include deploying drones, attaching acoustic tags to sharks to monitor their movements via listening buoys, issuing real-time alerts through mobile apps, and setting up traditional shark nets.
Environmental experts point out that shark populations also need protection. Globally, about 37% of oceanic shark and ray species are currently classified as endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
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