UPDATED
A female swimmer has died and a man accompanying her left in critical condition in Australia after both were bitten by what is thought to have been a single shark.
The incident, unusual in that respect, unfolded off Kylie’s Beach at Crowdy Bay, north of Newcastle in New South Wales, early this morning (27 November).
UPDATE 28 November: Shark casualty was scuba instructor
The two swimmers bitten by a shark have now been identified as Livia Muhlheim, 25, and her partner Lukas Schindler, 26, both believed to be from Switzerland. Schindler, an exchange student, had recently become a scuba instructor.
The couple are thought to have been filming dolphins when the incident occurred, and police have been reviewing their GoPro footage to determine the sequence of events. The culprit is thought to have been a 3m bull shark.
Schindler is reported to have gone to his girlfriend’s assistance, managing to tow her some 50m back to the beach despite severe leg injuries. He remains in hospital, and is said to be in stable condition. Beaches in the vicinity have now been reopened.
The victims have yet to be formally identified but police confirmed that they were known to one another. They are thought to have been European tourists, possibly from Switzerland.
The area was described as remote and unpatrolled, with no lifeguard presence, but beachgoers were able to assist the pair before the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics.
Makeshift tourniquet
The woman, believed to have been in her 20s, died at the scene. The man, thought also to be in his 20s, had suffered serious leg injuries.
A bystander described by emergency services as “heroic” applied a makeshift tourniquet to his leg to prevent further loss of blood and was credited with possibly saving his life. He was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle for treatment.
The beach and surrounding areas were closed following the incident. Officers attached to Manning – Great Lakes Police District were liaising with experts from the Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development to determine the species of shark involved, although a large bull shark was suspected to have been responsible.
Authorities are understood to have deployed smart drumlines and drones in the area to monitor the sea for shark activity. A formal report will be prepared for the coroner.
UPDATE 28 November: Shark casualty was scuba instructor