Vet Saves Woman Attacked by Shark in Sydney Harbour

A general view of residential property as seen across Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia, on May 8, 2021. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

A 29-year-old woman has been attacked by a shark while swimming at Elizabeth Bay, Sydney Harbour.

The woman, who has been identified as Lauren O'Neill, works as a senior project officer in the NSW Department of Climate Change.

The woman studied Science at the University of Sydney and has been volunteering for a range of charities and organisations since 2012, according to her LinkedIn profile.

A New South Wales Police spokeswoman told The Epoch Times the woman suffered leg injuries after being bitten at Elizabeth Bay by what is believed to be a shark.

“Emergency services were called to a private wharf near Billyard Avenue about 7.50 p.m. and found a woman—believed to be aged in her 20s—with a serious injury to her right leg,” NSW Police said.

“Officers attached to Kings Cross Police Area Command arrived and assisted NSW Ambulance paramedics treating the woman at the scene. She has been taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in a stable condition. Likely to undergo surgery today.

“Police have been told she was swimming off the wharf at the time. Marine Area Command patrolled the area as a precaution.”

‘Extremely Concerning’: Sydney Councillor

City of Sydney Councillor Linda Scott described the shark attack as extremely concerning and warned people to stay away from the harbour at this stage.

“I’m extremely concerned to learn of a shark attack in our City of Sydney this evening,” she said.

“A women has received severe injuries as a result of an attack near Billyard Avenue, Elizabeth Bay. Please, stay out of the harbour until further notice.”

A neighbour Michael Porter rushed to her aid and called for emergency services. A local vet living nearby was also able to apply a makeshift tourniquet to help Ms. O'Neill.

Mr. Porter told the Nine he heard a “soft yell” for help outside his window just before 8 p.m. on Monday.

A general view of residential property as seen across Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia, on May 8, 2021. Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

“She was trying to climb in and behind her was her leg, which was completely open and full of dark red blood behind her,” Mr. Porter told the publication.

“She was extremely brave, she was very brave through the whole thing. She was lucid and knew everything that was going on, and as she started to lose blood she started to lose a little bit of consciousness, but we just followed the triple zero respondent’s advice to try and keep her awake.

“She wasn’t in a panicked state at all, she was very calm. It was surreal, we’ve always been worried and known about sharks in the harbour … it’s only now that it feels very real.”