A young surfer has had a miraculous escape after a shark lunged at him on Sydney's Northern Beaches, in the second such frightening incident in the city within 24 hours.
Close Call at Dee Why Point
The dramatic encounter occurred at Dee Why Point around 11.30am on Monday. An 11-year-old local boy was surfing when a shark suddenly burst from the water and bit his board several times. The force of the attack knocked him off his surfboard.
The boy, who was not injured, began yelling for help. An older surfer nearby came to his immediate assistance before the boy's own father paddled out to bring him safely back to shore.
The beach was promptly closed as a precautionary measure. Surf Life Saving NSW deployed a drone to monitor the area for any further shark activity. The boy's surfboard, bearing clear bite marks, serves as a stark reminder of the close encounter.
Second Attack Leaves Boy with Severe Injuries
This incident came just one day after another, more serious shark attack in Sydney's eastern suburbs. On Sunday at approximately 4.20pm, a 12-year-old boy was attacked after jumping off a rock into the water at Vaucluse with two friends.
This boy was not as fortunate. He suffered severe injuries to both legs, causing significant blood loss. It was reported he lost consciousness at the scene. He received urgent medical attention, including a blood transfusion in an ambulance, before being rushed to Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick for treatment.
Officials Warn of 'Perfect Storm' Conditions
NSW Police Superintendent Joseph McNulty commented on the Vaucluse incident, noting that conditions had created a "perfect storm" for a shark attack. Recent rain in Sydney had led to brackish water—a mix of fresh and salty water—at the beach, combined with the splashing from the children in the water.
Superintendent McNulty urged people to avoid swimming in the harbour in its current condition due to these heightened risks.
These back-to-back incidents have shaken Sydney's beachgoing community, serving as a sobering reminder of the marine predators that share our coastline and the importance of heeding official safety warnings.
