Woman Killed, Man Injured in Shark Attack at Popular Australian Beach

A woman has died and a man has been critically injured following a shark attack at Kylies Beach in Crowdy Bay National Park, New South Wales, Australia.

Emergency services received a distress call at about 6:30am on Thursday after reports that two people had been bitten by a shark while swimming at the popular surfing spot, located near Port Macquarie, around 218 miles north of Sydney.

The woman, believed to be in her 20s, died at the scene. Authorities are yet to release her identity. The man, also in his 20s, was airlifted to hospital in critical condition but is now reported to be in a serious but stable state.

Police say swift action by a bystander likely prevented a second fatality. According to Police Chief Inspector Timothy Bayly, the quick-thinking beachgoer applied a makeshift tourniquet to the man’s leg before paramedics arrived.

“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 and allowed New South Wales Ambulance paramedics to get to him and render first aid,” Bayly said.

Authorities have not disclosed further details of the injuries or the circumstances leading up to the attack but confirmed the victims knew each other.

Shark experts say it is rare for a single shark to attack two people. Gavin Naylor, director of the University of Florida’s shark research programme, noted that while individual attacks are uncommon, multiple bites by the same shark are even more unusual, often involving younger or less experienced sharks. Tiger sharks are typically linked to such incidents, he added.

An investigation into the attack is ongoing, and beachgoers are advised to exercise caution in the area.