Coogee Shark Attack.
Swimmer critically injured by shark at Coogee Beach; nearby beaches closed.
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Authorities urged the public to contact Crime Stoppers with specific instructions: “1800 333 000” (or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au), noting information is handled “on a confidential basis” and reminding people “not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.”
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NSW Ambulance said the woman suffered serious injuries to both her “legs and arms,” and reported that a helicopter had “landed and is preparing to evacuate the woman to hospital if necessary.”
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Police provided an exact description of the first response from the public: “The woman was pulled from the water by members of the public who commenced first aid before the arrival of emergency services.”
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7NEWS reported that “a rescue helicopter” was on the way as emergency services reached the beach at about 11.15am, reinforcing that air support was part of the immediate response plan.
A woman in her 30s is in critical condition after a shark attacked her at Coogee Beach in Sydney on Saturday morning. Emergency services were called just before 11:15 a.m., and bystanders pulled her from the surf before paramedics arrived, NSW Police confirmed.
NSW Ambulance said the woman suffered serious injuries to both her legs and arms. A CareFlight helicopter landed at nearby Coogee Oval and airlifted her to hospital. Authorities closed Coogee, Clovelly, and Bronte beaches following the attack, The Guardian reported.
Bystanders Pull Victim From Surf Before Paramedics Arrived
Members of the public acted fast on Saturday. According to NSW Police, "the woman was pulled from the water by members of the public who commenced first aid before the arrival of emergency services." Witnesses applied tourniquets to slow the bleeding before official responders reached the scene.
Police cleared Coogee Oval so the CareFlight helicopter could land. 7NEWS reported a rescue helicopter was already on its way as emergency services first reached the beach at around 11:15 a.m. The quick response from both bystanders and air support is seen as critical to the woman's survival.
Coogee Attack Is the Fourth Major Incident in Four Weeks
This attack is not an isolated event. It is the fourth major shark attack in Australia in just 28 days, according to AAP News. Previous victims include Daniel Turpin in Western Australia on June 6, Michael Jensz at the Great Barrier Reef on May 24, and Steven Mattaboni in WA on May 16.
Sydney itself saw four shark attacks in just 48 hours in January 2026, including the death of 12-year-old Nicolas Antic in Sydney Harbour. Associate Professor Daryl McPhee of Bond University says the "cluster of bites" in 2026 is extraordinary, and may be linked to environmental shifts such as record rainfall. Sydney recorded 127mm of rain in early 2026, which experts connect to higher bull shark activity near beaches.
Shark Net Debate Reignites After Metropolitan Beach Attack
Coogee Beach sits at the center of a fierce policy fight. Randwick Council voted in early 2025 to remove shark nets at Coogee and Maroubra, arguing they had not caught a single target shark since 2020, The Guardian reported. The nets were also blamed for killing endangered marine life. However, the NSW State Government paused the removal trial after a fatal attack at Long Reef in late 2025.
The NSW Government has pumped $4.2 million in additional shark safety funding into the state since January 2026. Saturday's attack at a major metro beach is likely to end any near-term push to remove nets. Premier Chris Minns previously said, "We're not going to remove the nets," pointing out that recent attacks had not occurred within netted zones.
Police Ask Public for Information Through Official Channels Only
NSW Police are asking anyone with information about the attack to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Police stressed that all information is handled "on a confidential basis." They also specifically warned people "not to report information via NSW Police social media pages," NSW Police said in a public statement.
Surf lifesavers at Tamarama also cleared the water as a precaution following the attack, The Guardian reported. Beaches in the area are expected to remain closed until authorities are satisfied it is safe for swimmers to return.
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