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NSW Beaches Shut After 4 Shark Attacks in Two Days
Compilation after series of NSW coast attacks Shark attack fears A STRING of shark attacks has sent shivers down the spine of the New South Wales coast, with four separate incidents reported in just 48 hours. Two of the victims, a young boy and a man in his 20s, are in critical condition with severe head injuries. Heavy rainfall and murky waters have formed a “perfect storm” for two to three dozen bull sharks to move in closer to shore, authorities say. Every northern beach in Sydney is now closed as specialists deploy drones and helicopters to monitor the water for more danger.
Beaches in New South Wales have been put on high alert after four separate shark attacks in two days. The rapid increase in activity has led to two people fighting for their lives and pushed authorities to close many of the state’s most popular swimming holes. The local media is calling it a “magic” water event, but whatever you want to call it, big dumps of very recent rain have changed the water in a way that brings sharks close to land, and now it’s dangerous for anyone to be in the surf.
Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce has warned the public that ocean conditions at present are unsafe. He advised that until the water clears and the threat is over, people who are eager to go swimming should look more locally. Many area surfers are also avoiding the water, calling the recent developments deeply upsetting.
Vaucluse and North Steyne, High Danger
The worst incidents were recorded at Vaucluse in Sydney’s east and North Steyne in Manly. Around Sunday afternoon, a 12-year-old boy was jumping off rocks into the water with his friends at Vaucluse. He was bitten by a shark, believed to have been a bull shark, that clamped onto his legs. His friends were brave and chivalrous and hauled him back up on the rocks to assist him. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
On Monday evening, a man who was surfing at North Steyne, 27 years old, was attacked. Other surfers quickly came to the man’s aid and carried him ashore. Paramedics needed to rapidly treat him on the sand, as he was bleeding heavily. He is also in a life-threatening condition at the hospital. Both victims survived the initial moments, according to doctors and police, due to the quick-thinking of people on the beach.
Near Misses at Dee Why and Point Plomer
Not everyone got too banged up in these melees. On Monday, an 11-year-old boy was surfing at Dee Why Beach when a shark bit his board. The surfboard was left with a massive chunk taken out of it, but the boy managed to make it back to shore without suffering any bodily injuries. Witnesses reported seeing a shark about five feet long in the water at the time.
A fourth incident occurred on Tuesday morning to the north at Point Plomer. A 39-year-old man was surfing when a shark bit through his board and left him with minor cuts on his leg. He was able to make his way up to the beach and get help from residents. While he had to be hospitalized after the attack, his injuries were not considered life-threatening. These two instances illustrate how near these encounters can be, and why authorities are so concerned.
Why the Sharks Are Prowling Closer
The recent attacks are likely the result of the weather, experts think. There has been quite a bit of heavy rain in Sydney and in parts of the coast recently. When water from storms pours like this, dirt and fresh water flow into the ocean, so it looks brown and dirty. This is known as “brackish” water, and in fact, bull sharks love these conditions because they can more easily hide while searching for food.
The splashing from people who jump off rocks or paddle on boards will also attract sharks in such murky conditions. The water is so dark that drones or helicopters have a hard time seeing the sharks from above. This makes it extremely hard for lifeguards to determine whether a beach is actually safe so lifeguards are urging everyone, for now, to keep off the sand.
Government and Lifeguards Take Action
The government has closed all the northern beaches in Sydney for at least 48 hours in response to the cluster. They have also added additional special lines in the water that can detect sharks and signal to authorities. Jet skis, drones and helicopters are also being deployed to watch the coast and shoo people away from the water’s edge.
While some areas are known for being shark hot spots, four incidents in such proximity are highly unusual. For the time being, it is a matter of keeping people safe until the ocean water clears. People are being told to heed the signs and to avoid any water if it looks “dirty”, or to especially stay out of the water near a river mouth, as that is where sharks are most likely hiding at present.
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