A thirteen-year-old boy is in critical condition following a shark attack at a beach in Sydney, Australia. The incident occurred on the afternoon of March 10, 2024, around 16:20 local time, when the boy was jumping on rocks near the Sydney Harbour beach. According to New South Wales Police Superintendent Joseph McNulty, the boy was mauled by a large shark during this activity.
Bravery emerged as a defining theme in this emergency, as one of the boy’s friends jumped into the water to rescue him. Two other friends helped pull him back onto the rock platform. McNulty commended their quick actions, stating, “Those young men are brave under those circumstances, and very confronting injuries for those boys to see.” He added that the incident exemplified the spirit of camaraderie among friends.
Emergency services arrived shortly after the attack. A police boat reached the scene within minutes, and officers quickly tied two tourniquets around the boy’s legs to control the significant blood loss he had suffered. “The boy had lost his pulse. There was a large blood loss, and the double tourniquet stemmed that flow of blood loss yesterday and has contributed to saving his life,” McNulty explained.
Witnesses reported that the police officers were “covered in blood” upon arrival at the wharf, where they continued to perform CPR on the unconscious boy. New South Wales Ambulance Inspector Giles Buchanan indicated that medical teams intubated the boy to assist with breathing and managed to circulate blood while administering a transfusion during the transfer to the hospital.
As of now, the boy has undergone surgery overnight and is receiving comprehensive medical care. Officials are working to determine the species of shark involved in the attack. Initial speculation suggests it may have been a bull shark, known to frequent Sydney Harbour between January and February. McNulty noted that the combination of brackish and fresh water, along with the splashing from the boys, may have created an environment conducive to the attack.
The local community is rallying around the boy and his family, hoping for a swift recovery. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with marine life in popular recreational areas.
