‘Horrible’: Screaming fight broke out at scene of Sydney Harbour shark attack

The Sydney Harbour shark attack shocked the country, but something else happened that night which has remained tightly under wraps... until now.

A “horrible” brawl which saw locals fighting a camerman as witnesses screamed in horror broke out shortly after the brutal shark attack in Sydney Harbour, with one man nearly falling into the shark-infested water.

Lauren O’Neill, 29, underwent extensive surgery on Tuesday night in a desperate bid to save her leg after she was bitten by a bull shark at Elizabeth Bay in Sydney’s east on Monday.

She was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital after neighbours heard her screams and went to her aid.

Doctors have been able to save the leg of 29-year-old Lauren O'Neill following extensive surgery. Picture: LinkedIn

Shortly after Ms O’Neill was taken away by an ambulance, police were called to the scene about 8.20pm following reports of an assault.

Witnesses say the fight broke out after a neighbour got into a scuffle with a cameraman before others joined in. The cameraman was allegedly trying to film blood in the water.

Elizabeth Bay resident Michael Porter witnessed the fight and described the scenes as “horrible”.

He said at one point during the scuffle one man almost fell back into the bloodied shark-infested waters.

“It was the last thing we needed, everyone was screaming,” he said.

“All the neighbours had just been through it and then to have that on top. Everyone was screaming that someone was going to be pushed back into the water, [the shark] was probably still circling.”

Multiple neighbours came to Ms O'Neill's aid after hearing her screams. Picture: Supplied

The scene became frantic as paramedics battled to save the swimmer’s life. Picture: TikTok / @andriana_marine

In a statement provided to news.com.au, NSW Police said an investigation had now been launched into the circumstances which led to the brawl.

“Just after 8.20pm on Monday (29 January 2024), police were called to an address on Billyard Street, Elizabeth Bay, following reports of an assault,” the statement said.

“On arrival, officers attached to King Cross Police Area Command spoke to a 31-year-old man.

Police were told that the man was involved in a physical altercation with three other men – aged 74, 58 and a third man of unknown age.”

No injuries were reported as a result of the brawl.

Resident Michael Porter described the brawl as “horrible” to witness. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

Ms O’Neill is understood to have swam regularly in the area.

“Police have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident,” a statement said.

“As inquiries continue, anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

On Thursday, NSW Ambulance was forced to apologise to Ms O’Neill after graphic photos of her were leaked by a member of the organisation.

In a statement, a spokesman for NSW Ambulance said they were taking the breach of patient privacy “very seriously”.

“NSW Ambulance sincerely apologises to Ms 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” the statement said.