Woman critically injured in shark attack off Sydney beach
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- A 35-year-old woman was critically injured by a 3.5-meter (11-foot) white shark off Coogee Beach, Sydney, suffering serious leg and arm wounds.
- Lifeguard Charlie Verco rescued the woman by paddling to her on his board and helping her reach shore with assistance from bystanders.
- An off-duty doctor applied tourniquets to her severe injuries, which included a 30-centimeter (12-inch) bite exposing bone on her thigh and similar wounds on her arm.
- The victim was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition after being attacked while swimming 30 meters from the beach with friends.
- This incident adds to a rising number of fatal shark attacks in Australia, with four deaths this year and an overall increase linked to growing coastal populations and water activities.