A tragic shark attack on March 7, 2024, at Crowdy Bay National Park in Australia resulted in the death of a woman and serious injuries to a man who was swimming with her. This incident occurred early in the morning at approximately 06:30 local time at Kylies Beach, located about 360 kilometers north of Sydney.
Authorities reported that the victims, both in their mid-20s and identified as Swiss nationals, were attacked by a large bull shark while enjoying an early swim. According to Police Chief Inspector Timothy Bayly, the two individuals were known to each other and were swimming when the shark struck.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene following reports of the attack. Despite efforts by a bystander who applied a makeshift tourniquet to the man’s leg, the woman succumbed to her injuries on the beach. The man was subsequently airlifted to a medical facility, where his condition was reported to be serious but stable.
Local paramedic Josh Smyth credited the bystander’s quick actions with potentially saving the man’s life, emphasizing the importance of immediate first aid in such critical situations. “I just really need to have a shoutout to the bystander on the beach who put a makeshift tourniquet on the male’s leg which obviously potentially saved his life,” he stated.
Following the incident, the beaches in the surrounding area have been closed indefinitely to ensure public safety. Steven Pearce, chief executive of Surf Life Saving NSW, described the attack as “a really, really terrible incident” and highlighted the remote nature of the area, which lacks lifeguard services.
In the aftermath of the attack, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the victims’ nationalities and stated that the Swiss Consulate General in Sydney is in touch with local authorities to provide support to their families.
In response to the attack, authorities deployed five drumlines—baited hooks suspended from floats—off Kylies Beach in an effort to capture the shark involved. Similar measures had already been implemented in nearby locations to reduce shark activity along the coast.
Experts are noting the rarity of such incidents, as Gavin Naylor, director of the University of Florida’s shark research program, pointed out that attacks on more than one person by the same shark are exceptionally uncommon. “It is very unusual. Individual shark attacks are rare,” he explained, emphasizing the need for further investigation into the behavior of the shark during this incident.
The attack at Kylies Beach follows a similar tragic event in September 2023, when a surfer was fatally mauled by a shark off a beach near Sydney. The rising number of shark incidents across Australia has sparked concern, with over 1,280 recorded attacks since 1791, according to the International Shark Attack File.
As authorities continue to investigate the March 7 attack, they emphasize the importance of safety measures and awareness for beachgoers in areas known for shark activity.
