A shark attack at Kylies Beach in Crowdy Bay National Park on Australia’s east coast resulted in the death of a woman and serious injuries to a man early on the morning of March 15, 2024. Police reported that the attack occurred around 06:30 local time while the two individuals, both in their mid-20s and identified as Swiss nationals, were swimming together.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene following reports of the incident. Police Chief Inspector Timothy Bayly confirmed that the victims were known to each other and were enjoying a morning swim when the shark attacked. Although precise details regarding their injuries have not been disclosed, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The man was airlifted to a hospital, where paramedic Josh Smyth indicated that his condition was serious but stable.
A bystander played a crucial role in the man’s survival by applying a makeshift tourniquet to his leg. Smyth highlighted the importance of this quick action, stating, “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.”
Beach closures were implemented in response to the attack, affecting nearby areas as well. Chief Executive of Surf Life Saving NSW, Steven Pearce, noted the challenges of the remote location, emphasizing the absence of lifeguard services in that area.
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the identities of the victims and stated, “The Swiss Consulate General in Sydney is in contact with the local authorities and is supporting the relatives within the framework of consular protection.”
Authorities have since deployed five drumlines—baited hooks suspended from floats—off Kylies Beach in an effort to capture the shark involved in the attack. Similar measures had already been taken to the north at Port Macquarie and to the south at Forster to mitigate shark presence in these waters.
According to Gavin Naylor, director of the University of Florida’s shark research program, incidents involving a single shark attacking more than one person are extremely rare. “It is very unusual. Individual shark attacks are rare. And shark attacks on two people by the same individual is not unheard of, but it’s very rare,” Naylor stated. He added that understanding the sequence of the shark’s behavior would be critical to determining its motivation for the attack.
Shark incidents have been a concern in Australia, with over 1,280 recorded since 1791, leading to more than 250 fatalities. The International Shark Attack File noted a “disproportionate” number of shark bite-related deaths in Australia in 2023 compared to other countries. Just months prior, in September 2023, a surfer was fatally mauled off a Sydney beach, while a separate incident earlier this month saw an Australian windsurfer narrowly escape a shark encounter off the west coast.
The ongoing investigations and responses to these incidents highlight the need for safety measures and awareness in areas frequented by both locals and tourists.
