Officials Take Drastic Action After Third Shark Attack in 24 Hours
Officials are taking drastic measures after the third shark attack within a 24-hour period, the New South Wales Police (NSWP) said in a news release.
Officials Close Beaches After 3 Consecutive Attacks
The most recent incident occurred around 6:20 p.m. local time at North Steyne Beach, in Manly, on Monday, Jan. 19. Witnesses contacted emergency services and alerted them that a “surfer had been bitten by a shark” and incurred “serious leg injuries.” The victim, whose identity has not been made public, is believed to be in his 20s. He was “pulled from the water by members of the public who commenced first aid before the arrival of emergency services.” According to the NSWP, the victim was treated by the NSW Ambulance paramedics before being transported to Royal North Shore Hospital. As of Monday evening, the victim is still in critical condition.
Following the third shark-related incident in 24 hours, the NSWP made a dramatic decision. “All beaches on the Northern Beaches are closed until further notice, and this will be reviewed on an ongoing basis,” the department said.
Two Young Kids Attacked, One in 'Critical Condition'
The closures follow two similar shark-related incidents which occurred on Sunday, Jan. 18, and on Monday. Earlier on Monday afternoon, an 11-year-old boy was rescued at Sydney’s Dee Why Beach after a suspected bull shark "bit his surfboard.” Luckily, the adolescent was not injured in the attack.
In the Jan. 18 incident, a 13-year-old boy was critically injured after a shark bit him in Sydney Harbour while the victim was jumping off of rocks into the ocean. Emergency services were summoned to the scene at Shark Beach, in Vaucluse, around 4:20 p.m. local time. He suffered “serious leg injuries” that officials found are “consistent with what is believed to have been a large shark.” NSW Ambulance paramedics applied first aid before transporting the 13-year-old to the Children’s Hospital at Randwick, where he remained in critical condition as of Monday night.
It is unclear for how long the NSWP plans to keep the beach closures in place. The NSWP did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Men’s Journal.