A man in his 20s is in a critical condition after being bitten by a shark at North Steyne Beach in Manly on Monday evening. Emergency services were called just after 6pm following reports a surfer had been attacked. The man suffered serious leg injuries and was pulled from the water by members of the public who commenced first aid before paramedics arrived.
He was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition. The attack is the third in Sydney in just over 24 hours, which Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce described as 'unprecedented'. He said first responders were confronted with a 'traumatic and horrendous scene' but their quick action, including CPR and a tourniquet, gave the victim a good chance of survival.
Drones and shark detection equipment were unable to identify any marine life due to murky water conditions. However, the Westpac Lifesaver rescue helicopter will conduct surveillance along the northern beaches for the next two days, and drone surveillance will be substantially increased. Pearce urged surfers and swimmers to stay out of the water for the next 48 hours.
Local MP Kellie Sloane said beachgoers were right to be alarmed and called for increased drone surveillance. Witness Harley, a local surfer, saw people performing CPR and believed the shark might have been a bull shark. Another local, Luca, said he ran to the beach fearing someone he knew was involved.
