A man has been left in a critical condition following a shark bite at Manly Beach, marking the third serious shark incident on Sydney's coastline in just two days. The attack occurred on Monday evening, prompting a major emergency response.
Emergency Response and Critical Injuries
Ambulance NSW intensive care paramedics are currently treating the critically injured man at the scene. A rescue helicopter has also been deployed to survey the waters around the popular beach in Sydney's north. The victim's condition is described as critical, though further details about his injuries have not been released.
A Spate of Attacks Rocks Sydney Beaches
This latest attack forms part of a alarming cluster of shark encounters. Just hours earlier on Monday morning, an 11-year-old surfer had his board bitten multiple times by a shark at Dee Why Beach, located only a few kilometres from Manly. The young boy was unharmed but the force of the attack took a large chunk from the middle of his surfboard.
Shark biologists from the primary industries department believe the 15cm bite marks indicate the likely culprit was a bull shark. Northern Beaches Council lifeguards immediately closed the beach, erected warning signs, and dispatched jet skis to patrol the area. A drone was also launched to search for the shark, with no further sightings reported.
This incident followed a separate, more serious attack on Sunday afternoon in Sydney's east. A 13-year-old boy was bitten on both legs while jumping off a six-metre rock into the water at Vaucluse. He remains in a critical condition in Randwick Children's Hospital after undergoing surgery.
Authorities Issue Warnings and Examine Causes
Police and marine authorities have linked the recent spike in activity to hazardous weather conditions. Heavy rain over the weekend has created murky, low-visibility water in the harbour and along the coast. Superintendent Joseph McNulty described the combination of fresh water from rainfall and the splashing from people jumping as creating a "perfect storm" for shark activity.
"I would recommend not swimming in the harbour or our other river systems across NSW at this time," Supt McNulty advised reporters. The heavy swell has also prevented the operation of smart drumlines, which are used to monitor shark movements along the NSW coast.
The recent fatality of surfer Mercury Psillakis, 57, who was mauled by a shark at Long Reef Beach in September, adds to the growing community concern. That tragedy led the state government to halt a trial that involved removing some shark nets.
With multiple beaches now closed and patrols intensified, authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid swimming in discoloured or murky water until the threat subsides.
