Woman in critical condition after shark attack at Sydney's Coogee Beach

A woman in her 30s is in a critical condition after being bitten by a three-metre shark at Coogee Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs this morning.

She was rescued by an off-duty lifeguard on a longboard, with help from other bystanders. On the sand, an off-duty critical care doctor and lifeguards worked to stabilise her before paramedics arrived.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Mike Corlis said the woman suffered serious arm and leg injuries. She's been admitted to St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney.

The woman was at the beach with a group of friends when the attack happened just before 11.15am.

Randwick Council jet skis are now patrolling the water, looking for the shark. Staff estimate it was at least three metres long.

Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker arrived at the beach shortly after the attack. He said the victim was “in pretty bad shape.”

“There are lots of very shaken-up people, but we're so thankful for the heroic efforts of that individual and council lifeguards in providing that immediate first aid and CPR,” Parker said.

Coogee local Cooper Smeaton described a confronting and chaotic scene. He said swimmers and beachgoers scrambled as the shark alarm blared and the victim lay bleeding on the sand.

A woman named Maiara, who declined to give her surname, said she saw a tranquil morning turn into chaos.

“I was just looking at the ocean, I saw a lot of blood, and a lady asking for help. It was a little bit traumatising,” Maiara said.

Another witness, Oakley Lamb, said he saw splashing in the water and blood.

NSW Police said emergency services were called to the beach before 11.15am. The woman was pulled from the water by members of the public who started first aid before paramedics got there.

Randwick and Waverley councils have closed all their beaches in the eastern suburbs as a precaution.

Shark attacks rare but not unheard of in Sydney

Shark attacks on swimmers in Sydney are uncommon but not unprecedented. In February 2022, British swimmer Simon Nellist was killed by a great white shark at Little Bay Beach, about 10 kilometres south of Coogee. That was the first fatal shark attack in Sydney in nearly 60 years.

Experts say sharks are more likely to be encountered in warmer months and near river mouths after rain. Coogee Beach is patrolled by lifeguards during daylight hours, and drumlines are sometimes deployed in the area.

Police will investigate the incident and prepare a report for the coroner, as is standard for serious shark attacks. The shark hasn't been located, and authorities are deciding whether to deploy additional measures such as drones or drumlines.

The victim's family has been notified. Her condition remains critical.