A 13-year-old boy is in critical condition following a shark attack at a beach in Sydney Harbor on Sunday, March 10, 2024. The incident occurred around 16:20 local time while the boy was jumping on rocks in the eastern suburbs, as reported by New South Wales Police.
According to Superintendent Joseph McNulty, the boy’s friend displayed remarkable bravery by diving into the water to assist him. Two other friends helped drag the injured boy back to safety on the rock platform. “Those young men are brave under those circumstances, and very confronting injuries for those boys to see,” McNulty stated. He emphasized the spirit of friendship, saying, “But I suppose that’s mateship.”
Emergency services responded promptly, with a police boat arriving within minutes. Officers administered first aid, applying two tourniquets to the boy’s legs as they performed CPR while transporting him to the wharf for further medical attention. McNulty noted, “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.”
Witnesses described the scene, reporting that the officers were “covered in blood” by the time they reached the wharf. NSW Ambulance Inspector Giles Buchanan explained that medical personnel would have intubated the boy to assist with breathing and continued circulating blood, along with providing a transfusion en route to the hospital. “It was touch and go the entire time,” Buchanan said.
After being transported to the hospital, the boy underwent surgery overnight. Local authorities are currently investigating the type of shark involved in the attack, with speculation pointing towards a bull shark, known to frequent the Sydney Harbor between January and February. McNulty explained that the conditions—combining brackish and fresh water along with splashing—may have created an environment conducive to a shark attack.
The ongoing investigation aims to provide more clarity on this alarming incident, as the community rallies around the boy and his family during this difficult time.
