By Kayla Olaya and Nick Galvin
Residents of tiny Bundeena in Sydney’s south were in shock on Friday after a swimmer was attacked by a shark off one of the village’s popular beaches.
The woman, a local resident in her 50s, was heard crying for help early on Friday afternoon.
Ambulances were called to Gunyah Beach after 1pm on Friday. The woman was treated at the scene for serious leg injuries before being airlifted to St George Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Onlookers at Gunyah Beach said they heard screams and quickly jumped into the water and applied pressure to her wounds.
Several helicopters have begun to circle the area, searching for the shark.
Sutherland Shire Council closed all Bate Bay beaches on Friday afternoon, including its most popular beach, Cronulla.
Other beaches closed include: North Cronulla Beach; Elouera Beach; Wanda Beach; Greenhills Beach; Horderns Beach; Gunyah Beach; and Silver Beach.
A woman was attacked by a shark at Gunyah Beach and suffered a serious leg injury.Credit:
Bundeena, on the edge of Port Hacking, is well known for its beaches and has become an increasingly popular spot with tourists over the past few years. Gunyah Beach is one of the lesser-known spots and is particularly popular with locals.
The village is also home to the iconic Harold Holt Swimming Club, whose members swim in Port Hacking year-round.
Bundeena resident Nikki Ahern has been a keen member of the “Holters”, as they are affectionately known locally, for about 10 years.
The Toll rescue helicopter transports the patient to St George Hospital.Credit: Nine
“People always ask me, ‘Are you mad?’ I always say to them, I drive through the National Park every day, which I think is a bigger risk than the ocean.
“When there’s been a shark spotted, some people feel a bit nervous, so we try not to say the ‘S’ word when we’re swimming.
“We have dolphins go round us and under us, and we get a fright at first. It’s always a relief to know it’s a dolphin.”
Asked whether the recent attack would put her off swimming, Ahern responded: “Absolutely not.”
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