A shark attack on March 15, 2024, at Kylies Beach in Crowdy Bay National Park, Australia, resulted in the death of a woman and serious injuries to a man. The incident occurred during an early morning swim around 6:30 a.m., with both victims reportedly in their mid-20s and known to each other.
The attack prompted immediate action from emergency services, who were dispatched to the scene following reports of the incident. According to Police Chief Inspector Timothy Bayly, the woman was pronounced dead at the beach, while the man was airlifted to a hospital. Paramedic Josh Smyth described the man’s condition as serious but stable, crediting a bystander with providing crucial first aid that likely saved his life.
Bayly confirmed that the beaches in the vicinity, as well as others to the north, have been closed indefinitely as a precaution. The police plan to collaborate with marine experts to determine the species of the shark involved in the attack. Five drumlines, which are baited hooks suspended from floats, have been deployed off Kylies Beach to capture the shark.
This incident is particularly notable as experts indicate that a single shark attacking multiple individuals is extremely rare. Gavin Naylor, director of the University of Florida’s shark research program, emphasized the unusual nature of such attacks. “Individual shark attacks are rare, and shark attacks on two people by the same individual are not unheard of, but it’s very rare,” he stated.
Naylor highlighted the importance of understanding the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the size of the shark and whether there were other potential prey nearby. He noted that younger sharks might act more impulsively, but specific patterns of behavior can often clarify their motivations.
In 2019, a similar incident occurred when two British tourists were attacked by a single shark while snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. One suffered a severe injury, losing a foot, while the other sustained leg injuries. In September 2023, another shark attack led to the death of a surfer off a beach in Sydney, underscoring the ongoing risks faced by beachgoers in the region.
As investigations continue into the latest attack, the focus remains on ensuring beach safety and understanding the behavior of sharks in these waters.
