A young Swiss woman has tragically lost her life after being mauled by a bull shark while swimming at a remote New South Wales beach, with her partner sustaining serious injuries while attempting to rescue her.
Tragic Morning at Kylies Beach
Livia Mulheim, 25, and Lukas Schindler, 26, were enjoying the pristine waters of Kylies Beach in Crowdy Bay National Park on Thursday morning when the horrific incident unfolded. The couple, both Swiss nationals, are believed to have been filming a pod of dolphins when the attack occurred around 10:30 AM.
According to witnesses and emergency services, the 3-metre bull shark first attacked Mulheim before turning its attention to Schindler as he courageously attempted to save his girlfriend. Despite suffering severe leg injuries, Schindler managed to drag Mulheim approximately 50 metres back to shore where bystanders rushed to provide assistance.
Desperate Rescue Efforts
Paramedics were urgently dispatched to the isolated beach location on the state's Mid North Coast, but despite their best efforts, Mulheim could not be saved. The remote nature of Kylies Beach, which is unpatrolled and located within the national park, presented significant challenges for emergency responders.
Schindler was airlifted by helicopter to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, where he remains in a stable condition while receiving treatment for his serious leg injuries.
Remembering Livia Mulheim
According to her LinkedIn profile and statements from her employer, Mulheim was an accomplished young professional with a passion for athletics. She worked as an investment associate at Bellecapital, a wealth and asset management company based in Zurich.
In a tribute posted online, her employer described her as a former synchronised swimmer and "passionate runner" who was currently studying for her Master's in Accounting and Finance at the University of St. Gallen. She had previously obtained a Bachelor of Arts from the same prestigious Swiss university.
The couple had been travelling extensively during their Australian stay, with Schindler having participated in August's Sydney marathon and completed a course to become a diving instructor.
Ongoing Shark Monitoring
Since the fatal attack, authorities have been actively monitoring the area using both drumlines and drones in an effort to locate the shark responsible. As of the latest reports, there have been no further sightings of the bull shark.
The incident has highlighted the dangers of swimming at unpatrolled beaches, particularly in areas known for marine life activity. Kylies Beach remains closed while investigations continue and shark monitoring operations remain in place.
