A relaxing day at Gunyah Beach near Sydney quickly turned terrifying when a 59-year-old woman was attacked by a shark. The incident happened around 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7, leaving beachgoers in shock.
The woman suffered serious injuries to her leg, and things could’ve been much worse if not for the quick actions of two brave bystanders. They pulled her out of the water and onto some nearby rocks, using towels to stop the heavy bleeding. Their fast thinking made all the difference.
Andrew Bibby from New South Wales Ambulance praised the men for their efforts. “They were absolutely remarkable,” he said. “The first aid they gave was spot on and really helped us stabilize her when we arrived.”
Paramedics found the woman in critical condition but managed to stabilize her on the beach before rushing her to the hospital. Despite the scary situation, she was able to describe what happened, saying she felt a sudden, painful strike on her leg. Though she didn’t see what caused it, authorities believe it was most likely a shark.
Local resident Nikki Ahern told the Sydney Morning Herald that shark sightings aren’t unusual at Gunyah Beach. “When there’s a shark around, people get nervous — we try not to say the ‘S’ word when we’re swimming,” she said.
Still, not every encounter in these waters is scary. “Sometimes dolphins swim around us and give us a fright,” Ahern added, “but it’s always a relief when we realize it’s just a dolphin.”
As the woman recovers in the hospital, locals are reminded of both the beauty and the danger that comes with swimming in Australia’s stunning beaches.
