Bondi beach stress-free no more after shark attack
THE world's most famous beach is known for its huge crowds and relaxed dress standards, and history has shown Bondi to be relatively safe - until now.
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THE world's most famous beach is known for its huge crowds and relaxed dress standards, and history has shown Bondi to be relatively safe.
For the past 80 years, sharks have caused little concern.
That has changed with the latest savaging of a surfer: Read and see pics
The last two fatal shark attacks occurred within a month of each other in 1929. Bodysurfer Colin Stewart, 14, was mauled by a shark on January 12, 1929.
He died after he was bitten on his right thigh and hip.
A month later, on February 8, John Gibson, 39, died after he was bitten in his right thigh by a shark. His femoral artery was severed.
The disappearance of diver and journalist Pat Bowring in May 1996 is still a mystery but a shark attack was just one of the possibilities brought before a coroner's court.
Mr Bowring - the husband of Women's Weekly then editorial director Nene King - was never found and the coroner could not conclusively rule out if a shark killed him or something else claimed his life.
There was excitement two years ago, when Tasmanian Scott Wright claimed he was bitten by a shark at Bondi. It drew international headlines as the first victim of sharks in 78 years, claiming he had to fight off a 1.8m shark.
But while at first it was revealed a docile wobbegong shark might have been responsible, it was later alleged Mr Wright injured his arm in a glass window.
He was arrested on robbery charges and accused of lying about the attack so the shark attack was never confirmed.
A shark net was installed at Bondi Beach in 1937 and is currently in place.
The net is laid out about 150m from the beach and is submerged in 8m of water.
According to the Waverley Council website, there has not been a shark fatality at Bondi Beach since the nets were installed.
There have been a number of recent shark sightings and shark attacks over the summer along the NSW coast but no fatalities.