A surfer has narrowly escaped serious injury in the fourth shark attack to strike the Sydney area in just three days, prompting widespread beach closures and urgent safety warnings.
A Narrow Escape at Point Plomer
Emergency officials reported that a 39-year-old man was targeted by a shark while surfing at Point Plomer, north of Sydney, at approximately 9am on Tuesday 20th January 2026. The shark reportedly attacked the man's surfboard, with the equipment absorbing the brunt of the impact.
Matt Worrall, captain of the Kempsey-Crescent Head Surf Life Saving Club, confirmed the surfer sustained only minor cuts and was able to make his own way to shore, where locals assisted him. "He was lucky to survive," Worrall stated, adding that the board seemed to take most of the force of the attack.
A Spate of Critical Incidents
This latest attack follows three separate and more serious incidents over the preceding days. On Sunday and Monday, shark attacks off Sydney left two people, including a 12-year-old boy, in critical conditions.
The boy was bitten late on Sunday afternoon while jumping off rocks with friends. He suffered severe injuries to both legs and was pulled from the water by his friends and emergency services. New South Wales Police Superintendent Joseph McNulty said the boy was "in for the fight of his life" and praised the swift actions of first responders for giving him a chance.
In a separate incident on Monday, a surfer was critically injured off North Steyne Beach in Manly.
Beaches Closed Amid Murky Water Warnings
In response to the alarming cluster of attacks, authorities have closed beaches along the New South Wales northern coast and in northern Sydney. Officials have directly linked the dangerous conditions to recent heavy rainfall.
Steven Pearce, chief executive of Surf Life Saving New South Wales, issued a stark warning to the public. "If you're thinking about going for a swim, think of going to a local pool because at this stage, we're advising that beaches are unsafe," he told reporters. He explained that the poor water quality and murkiness create an environment "really conducive to some bull shark activity."
Bull sharks, a species known for its ability to thrive in brackish water where rivers meet the sea, are considered a particular threat following the significant rainfall.
