A woman in her 30s is in a critical condition after being bitten by a shark at Coogee beach on Saturday.
A spokesperson for NSW Ambulance said the woman suffered arm and leg injuries and had been taken by road to St Vincent’s hospital.
They said multiple crews had treated the woman on the beach after the attack, which occurred just after 11am.
Police and emergency personnel at Sydney’s Coogee beach after reports of a shark attack. Photograph: Hollie Adams/ReutersPolice speak to people at the scene of the shark attack. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters
A spokesperson for NSW police said the woman was pulled from the water by members of the public who commenced first aid until emergency services arrived.
“Police rendered first aid to the woman, believed to be aged in her 30s, who has suffered serious arm and leg injuries, before NSW Ambulance paramedics attended,” they said.
Police cleared nearby Coogee Oval to facilitate the landing of the Careflight helicopter to potentially airlift the woman to hospital.
They said Coogee beach and nearby beaches including Clovelly and Bronte had been closed.
NSW Ambulance said a command post had been set up on the beach with police and ambulance chaplains available to support people who witnessed the attack.
Coogee beach and nearby beaches including Clovelly and Bronte have been closed. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters
At Tamarama beach to Coogee’s north, surf lifesavers cleared the water a short time later, telling swimmers and surfers the beach was being closed because of the incident.
Coogee beach, known for its relatively gentle surf, is popular with locals and tourists and draws thousands of visitors on summer days.
Earlier this year, three people were attacked – one fatally – by sharks at Sydney beaches in a period of 48 hours. More recently, there have been two fatal attacks on spearfishermen in Western Australia.
