Category - Adventure
Teen Dead After ‘Serious Shark Bite’ at Popular Beach
A 17-year-old girl has reportedly died as the result of “a serious shark bite” while swimming at a popular beach in Australia.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that around 4:45 p.m. local time on Monday, the Queensland Ambulance Service responded to “a serious shark bite incident” at Woorim Beach near Bribie Island, north of Brisbane. Witnesses say the young woman was about 300 feet offshore when she was bitten on the arm. The victim was helped back to the beach, where paramedics and good samaritans attempted life-saving measures. However, the outlet reported that “her upper body wounds were so significant” that she died at the scene.
The victim’s identity has not been released at this time.
Related: Teen Decapitated by Shark in Rare, Brutal Attack
Drumlines had previously been used in the area in which the attack occurred, in order to lure and capture sharks, but it’s unclear if those were in use at the time or if bait was used to attract the shark. Police investigators are currently preparing a report to present to the coroner. Woorim is the most popular beach on the island, and there were many witnesses to the incident.
“I’m very saddened to hear today that a shark attack at Woorim Beach on Bribie Island has tragically claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl,” Mark Book, a government official in the region, wrote on social media. “Our hearts break for her family and friends during this unimaginable time. May they find strength and comfort in the support of their loved ones and the community.”
Monday’s incident marks Greater Brisbane’s first shark attack in nearly 20 years. The last occurred in 2006, when a 21-year-old woman was killed on North Stradbroke Island, about 80 miles from Woorim Beach.