Sydney shark warning: Swimmers told to ‘return to shore’ after reports of bull shark at Coogee Beach
Sirens have sounded, and swimmers have been told to get out of the water in dramatic scenes at a popular Sydney beach following reports of a bull shark in the area.
Lifeguards made the announcement at Coogee Beach around 7am on Thursday.
“Attention from the lifeguards. We’ve had a number of reports of a bull shark in the area, so we do ask everyone in the water, please return to shore,” a lifeguard can be heard saying over a megaphone in a video shared by a Maroubra community group on social media.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.A paddleboarder was also urged to help swimmers return to shore.
“And for one of those board paddlers out there, one of the clubby boards, can you please paddle in with that guy swimming?” the lifeguard pleaded, as loud alarms rang out in the background.
“Stay safe,” he added.
It comes after four separate shark incidents in NSW within 48 hours.
The first victim, 12-year-old Nico Antic, is fighting for life in hospital after he was mauled by what is believed to be a bull shark near Shark Beach in Vaucluse.
Both his legs were severely injured and he is in a critical condition in Sydney Children’s Hospital after undergoing emergency surgery on Sunday night.
On Monday morning, an 11-year-old boy had a close call after his surfboard had a chunk taken out of it by a shark at Dee Why beach, just 20km from the Vaucluse attack. Thankfully the boy was unharmed.
On Monday evening, local musician Andre de Ruyter was pulled from the water at North Steyne Beach in Manly after he sustained catastrophic injuries to his lower legs. A bull shark is believed to be behind the attack.
The fourth incident happened at Point Plomer, near Port Macquarie on Tuesday morning when a surfer was bitten on his chest. The surfer, Paul Zvirzdinas, managed to paddle to shore and was taken to hospital.
Authorities warn that recent coastal weather has created conditions that attract shark activity, with the CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW, Steven Pearce calling the attacks “unprecedented”.
“The beaches are unsafe with these conditions. We’re asking people please ensure your own personal safety”, he said.
All beaches along the Northern Beaches will remain closed until further notice.
