By Heather McNeill
A woman attacked by a shark near Jurien Bay in Western Australia has been airlifted to Perth with serious bite injuries to her legs.
St John Ambulance paramedics and the RAC Rescue helicopter rushed to the coastal town, about 2½ hours drive north of Perth, after receiving a triple-zero call around 11.30am on Monday.
Fisheries said the 46-year-old woman was attacked by a two-metre tiger shark while in waist-deep water.
She was taking part in a sea lion tour on Sandland Island at the time. A man who pulled the woman from the water told 9News Perth the incident was a “freak accident”.
The island is one of several frequented by local sea lion tour operators who offer daily excursions where customers can swim with the playful animals.
The woman was brought to shore by the local company’s charter boat and rushed to Jurien Bay Health Centre before being airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital around 2pm.
She was in a critical condition and undergoing emergency surgery on Monday afternoon.
The Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development is investigating the incident.
“DPIRD is working with local authorities to coordinate responses,” the agency said in a statement.
“Take additional caution in the Jurien Bay area.”
Shire of Dandaragan president Tony O’Gorman said the council had closed beaches between North Head and Sandy Cape.
To his knowledge, the area has not had a fatal shark attack since 1967 when a 23-year-old spearfisherman was mauled by a shark while skin diving off North Head.
Anyone who sees a shark is urged to report it to Water Police on 9442 8600.
All shark sighting information reported to Water Police is provided to land managers and relevant authorities and to the public on the SharkSmart website, SharkSmart WA app and Surf Life Saving WA Twitter feed.