Woman, 59, Suffers 'Excruciating' Leg Injury in Shark Attack Near Popular Beach: Reports

Mar. 15, 2025

Shark attack at Gunyah Beach in New South Wales, Australia.Photo:Marine Area Command - NSW Police Force

Marine Area Command - NSW Police Force

A 59-year-old woman is reportedly in a serious but stable condition following a shark attack at a popular beach in Australia.

The attack happened at Gunyah Beach near the south Sydney suburb of Port Hacking at around 1.30 p.m. local time on Friday, March 7, reported multiple outlets includingNewscom.au.

Aerial view of Burraneer Bay, Port Hacking.PETER HARRISON/Getty

PETER HARRISON/Getty

“The first aid they applied was absolutely spot on and really laid a great foundation for the work we were able to do to try and stabilise her,” he added about the men.

“They’d used towels to try and stem the bleeding … they put a towel around her leg as a makeshift tourniquet and used some other towels to try and pack the wound to stop the bleeding — they did an amazing job”, he continued.

“She didn’t report seeing what caused it but most likely a shark, we would think.”

Gunyah Beach.Kaan Ozen/Shutterstock

Kaan Ozen/Shutterstock

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Local resident Nikki Ahern told theSydney Morning Heraldthat sharks are a relatively common sight in the waters around Gunyah Beach.

“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," she told the outlet.

“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.”

NSW Ambulance did not immediately reply to PEOPLE’s request for further information.

source: people.com