Crowdy Bay shark attack: Expert calls double mauling ‘unusual’
Two shark experts — including a survivor who was attacked off the same stretch of beach — have reacted to Thursday morning’s fatal attack on the Mid-North Coast with one woman dead and a man fighting for life.
Two shark experts — including a survivor who was attacked off the same stretch of beach — have reacted to Thursday morning’s fatal attack on the Mid-North Coast with one woman dead and a man fighting for life.
A man and woman in their 20s — understood to be Swedish nationals — were attacked by the unspecified species of shark while swimming at Kylies Beach near Crowdy Bay, at about 6.30am on Thursday.
Witnesses tried to help before paramedics arrived, but the woman died at the scene. The man was flown to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle where he remains in a critical condition.
Leading shark expert Dr Daryl McPhee, from the Gold Coast, said he was shocked by the news.
“This is a sad, sad tragedy,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
“My condolences go out to the friends and family of those attacked, and also to the first responders in what is clearly a difficult time.”
It is understood the woman was bitten first, with the man attacked as he tried to save her.
NSW Ambulance confirmed six units were sent to the scene.
Dr McPhee said it was “unusual” for two people to be attacked in the same place at the same time, though it was not unheard of.
“The last incident I can think of was in the Whitsundays,” he said.
In October 2019, British backpackers Alistair Raddon and Danny Maggs were mauled while snorkelling at Hook Passage, with Mr Raddon losing his right foot and Mr Maggs suffering deep calf wounds.
Both were rescued and flown to Mackay Base Hospital.
Dr McPhee said Thursday’s attack was another tragic incident involving young people.
“It’s a life changing event,” he said.
“It’s too hard to tell what sort of shark it would have been, but that information will come out soon.”
Bite Club founder Dave Pearson — who was attacked by a bull shark in the same area some 14kms away in 2011 — said he was devastated to hear the news.
“Coming this close to Christmas, it’s a tough time of year to be losing someone and now there’s a family grieving and our thoughts go out to them,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
Mr Pearson said he was bitten on the southern side of the beach, while Thursday’s attack was 14km away on the northern side.
“We wouldn’t see 14km as a quick trip, but for a shark that’s a short swim,” he said.
He said shark encounters were “always a surprise”, but the animals were particularly active at this time of year.
“There’s a lot of bait fish, but they also follow dolphins which are out at the moment to pick off the young and weak,” he said.
The attack survivor urged people online to stay respectful.
“There’s going to be the usual hype about it, where people are going to comment the same silly stuff,” he said.
“But to them, I ask them to please be respectful, because we have a family grieving and it’s just devastating.”
A report on Thursday’s fatality is being prepared for the coroner.
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Originally published as Crowdy Bay shark attack: Expert calls double mauling ‘unusual’
