‘Critical condition’: Young boy fighting for life after shark attack at Sydney’s Nielsen Park
A 12-year-old boy is fighting for his life after a shark attack at a popular Sydney Harbor beach on Sunday afternoon.
The attack took place around 16.30 at Nielsen Park in Vaucluse, known for its netted swimming area and open waters.
A NSW Ambulance spokesman said they responded with “multiple resources”, including critical care paramedics and air medical teams, including the CareFlight helicopter.
It was reported that up to five other children were with the child at the time and tried to help him before emergency services arrived.
Paramedics and Aquatic Police transported him by boat to Rose Bay for emergency care. Officers were seen consoling distressed children near the beach entrance.
NSW Ambulance paramedics and police applied a tourniquet as they tried to stabilize the boy, and it became clear he required CPR from first responders at one point, The Daily Telegraph reported.
A blue NSW Police Rescue tent was set up next to the ambulance to provide privacy for paramedics who treated him for more than an hour.
“The patient, a young boy with serious injuries to both legs, was transported to Randwick Sydney Children’s Hospital in a critical condition,” the spokesperson said.
It appears that the boy jumped off the rocks at one end of the beach when he was hit by the shark.
A NSW Police spokesman said the child was believed to be around 12 years old.
“The beach is closed and swimmers are advised to avoid wading in the water at this time,” the spokesperson said.
Police have cordoned off the rock ledge from which the children jumped as they continue to search for the shark involved in the attack.More to come.
