Shark victim’s sensitive photo leaked from hospital: urgent probe
A private, graphic photograph of shark attack victim Lauren O’Neill’s leg is at the centre of an investigation after it was leaked from inside a hospital.
NSW
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A private, graphic photograph of shark attack victim Lauren O’Neill’s leg is at the centre of an investigation into how it was leaked from inside a hospital.
The sensitive photo, which has been circulating in online chat groups and on social media, shows a gaping wound on Ms O’Neill’s lower right leg as she lies on a hospital bed.
The Daily Telegraph has chosen not to publish the picture.
A medical staff member dressed in protective plastic clothing can be seen holding Ms O’Neill’s foot, with her painted red toenails visible, while at least two other people watch on.
The photograph appears to have been taken soon after Ms O’Neill’s leg was unbandaged on arrival at the hospital, with the blood soaked dressings lying beside her.
Hospital spokesman David Faktor said an investigation into the privacy breach was underway as a matter of urgency.
“St Vincent’s has become aware of photos in the public domain that appear to have been taken in the Emergency Department and are related to those of a patient injury,” Mr Faktor said on Wednesday night.
“St Vincent’s takes patient privacy obligations extremely seriously and is investigating this issue as a matter of priority.”
Mr Faktor said hospital executive had spoken with Ms O’Neill.
“We have sincerely apologised for any part St Vincent’s played in the photos being taken”.
The Daily Telegraph has been told officers within the NSW Police Force have seen the photograph but how it was first circulated remains unknown.
It is understood there were multiple police and NSW Ambulance paramedics in the emergency department around the time the photo appears to have been taken.
Ms O’Neill, 29, was rushed to the hospital on Monday night after she was bitten by a suspected bull shark while having a quick swim after work in Sydney Harbour, about 7.30pm.
The horror attack happened right near the jetty Ms O’Neill had jumped off near her home in Elizabeth Bay.
Emergency crews spent more than an hour stabilising the young woman at the scene, even calling for urgent blood supplies to be flown in by helicopter after the heavy bleeding she suffered.
Ms O’Neill underwent a marathon operation that night to save her leg, which had severed bones from the attack, and another round of delicate surgery through the night on Tuesday. She is expected to make a full recovery.
The NSW Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, where Ms O’Neill works, released a statement wishing her a “safe and speedy recovery”.
“Lauren is a dedicated public servant who joined the NSW Government as a graduate at the beginning of 2020.
“Lauren is a highly valued staff member who is hard working, well-liked and respected by all her colleagues who are devastated by the news,” the statement said.
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