Woman bitten by shark in Sydney Harbour identified
A 29-year-old woman may lose her leg after being bitten by a bull shark while swimming in Sydney Harbour.
On Monday night, Lauren O'Neill went for an evening swim near a private wharf in Elizabeth Bay when she was attacked by the shark, screaming out to neighbours for help.
Michael Porter told NCA NewsWire he had just gotten home from work when he heard the woman’s scream.
“I saw Lauren climbing out of the Harbour on the ladder and she was sort of pulling herself up quite weakly, she didn’t have much strength and there was a whole pool of red blood in the Harbour,” Mr Porter said.
“Her leg was limp.”
An ambulance was called and transported Lauren to St Vincent's Hospital, where she remains with "serious injuries".
While her condition is stable, the 29-year-old is facing the possibility of losing her leg.
Marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck told news.com.au it was “highly likely” to be a bull shark that bit Ms O'Neill, and warned people against swimming in the harbour, particularly in low light.
“Bull sharks know they can come into Sydney Harbour and score an opportunistic feed,” he said.
“If they can’t see or the water is cloudy, these animals will bite just to determine what something is and whether it’s prey. Unfortunately, Sydney Harbour after dusk is simply not a safe place to swim.”
Image credits: Instagram / Nine News