A woman has died and a man has been seriously injured after they were attacked by a shark while swimming on a remote beach in the Australian state of New South Wales.
Police said the woman, believed to be in her 20s, died at the scene, while the man, also believed to be in her 20s, was flown to a hospital in Newcastle in a critical condition.
Paramedics were called to Kylies Beach in Crowdy Bay National Park, about 300 kilometers north of Sydney, early Thursday morning local time, police said.
Authorities praised a bystander who put a makeshift tourniquet on the man’s leg before paramedics arrived, which “potentially saved his life.”
“The courage of some bystanders is astonishing in this situation,” New South Wales Ambulance Superintendent Josh Smyth told reporters.
“Putting yourself out there is heroic and obviously gave us time to get to that male patient.”
The beach has now been closed and police are in contact with experts from the Department of Primary Industries to determine the species of shark involved.
“Smart” drum lines were also being deployed, which attract sharks with baited hooks so they can be tagged and re-released.
Surf Life Saving NSW said surrounding beaches would also be closed for 24 hours while drones monitored the area.
“This is a terrible tragedy and our deepest condolences go out to the families of the woman and man involved,” Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce said.
“For now, stay out of the water at nearby beaches and follow the guidance of lifeguards.”
This is the fifth fatal shark attack in Australia this year. The most recent was less than three months ago, when a man died in a rare shark attack on Sydney’s northern beaches.
