By Jessica McSweeney and Clare Sibthorpe
A paramedic was behind the leak of sensitive photographs of shark attack survivor Lauren O’Neill, NSW Ambulance has confirmed.
In a statement, NSW Ambulance apologised to O’Neill for the “breach of her privacy and the additional distress it has caused her and her loved ones at this most difficult time”.
Police were separately conducting inquiries into the distribution of photos of Lauren O’Neill’s bite.Credit: Tim Levy, Wolter Peeters
“We spoke with Ms O’Neill’s family this afternoon and informed them that we believe a NSW Ambulance staff member was responsible for the breach of her privacy,” the spokesperson said.
“NSW Ambulance takes its patient privacy obligations very seriously and is continuing to investigate this breach to determine the full details of the incident.
“It is not appropriate to make any further comment while the investigation is ongoing.”
Health Minister Ryan Park told the Herald he was incredibly concerned the image was shared.
“I can only imagine it would have compounded an already harrowing experience for this young woman and her family,” he said.
“I understand NSW Ambulance has apologised. There are processes in place and they will of course be followed. Let’s not forget the incredible role our paramedics had in saving this young woman’s life, as they do each and every day”.
Earlier on Thursday, it emerged NSW Police were separately investigating after its officers provided photographs of O’Neill’s mauled leg to government scientists, before images of the injury ended up on social media.
NSW Department of Primary Industries scientists were provided with six photos of the shark bite by police, which were taken inside St Vincent’s Hospital, a government spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the six images were stored securely and were not shared with anyone other than a handful of specialists for the purposes of identifying the species of shark involved.
“It’s extremely disappointing that the privacy of this young woman has been breached,” Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said. “I would like to thank our scientists in the Department of Primary Industries for their work in determining the species of shark and assisting emergency services during the incident.”
One of the photos in question shows a person in a plastic hospital gown and blue gloves holding out the injured leg with both arms as O’Neill lies on the hospital bed.
Another person, also wearing a glove, holds the same leg from the opposite side of the bed, next to used bandages. The camera is close to the leg and the gaping wounds appear fresh.
O’Neill was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital, where her leg was operated on.Credit: Tim Levy
NSW Ambulance was asked what the consequences would be for the staff member responsible for the leak, but declined to comment.
The Herald, which has chosen not to publish the image, has been told the photo was taken shortly after O’Neill’s arrival at the emergency department.
St Vincent’s spokesperson David Faktor confirmed on Wednesday night it was urgently investigating a privacy breach after the photos began spreading on social media and in online chat groups.
“We have sincerely apologised for any part St Vincent’s played in the photos being taken,” he said.
O’Neill was swimming near a private wharf in Elizabeth Bay on Monday night when she was bitten on the right leg by a shark.
Neighbours rushed to her aid after hearing her cries for help, including a vet who crucially stemmed her heavy bleeding with a bandage before she was taken to hospital in a stable condition.
The 29-year-old was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst, where doctors performed a marathon surgery overnight to save her leg.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.