Swiss diving instructor Lukas Schindler fought off bull shark while attempting to save girlfriend
A Swiss exchange student who recently qualified as a diving instructor heroically fought off a bull shark that mauled his girlfriend before carrying her to shore and raised the alarm after being bitten twice on the leg.
Lukas Schindler, 26, and his girlfriend, 25, also a Swiss national, were swimming near the remote campsite at Kylies Beach, about four hours north of Sydney, when what authorities believe was a mature bull shark at least three meters long attacked them just after 6am on Thursday morning.
Lukas Schindler survived the shark attack at Kylies Beach on Thursday. He completed the Sydney Marathon in August.Credit: Marathon Photos Live
The 25-year-old actor was attacked moments after he took a photo of himself swimming with dolphins on his GoPro. He was bitten several times and lost his left arm in the fatal attack.
Schindler, who completed an exchange semester at the University of Technology Sydney from July to November this year, swam up to his girlfriend and was bitten twice on his right leg as he tried to punch the shark, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Schindler ran the Sydney Marathon in August in 2 hours 59 minutes, according to the race’s official results website.
Despite his injuries, Schindler swam his girlfriend back to shore, grabbed her phone and ran to the beach to call emergency services. His life was likely saved by a passerby, who was praised by officials for their quick thinking and a makeshift tourniquet was applied to his injured leg. His girlfriend died on the beach.
Following the attack, Schindler was taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.Credit: Nine News
Schindler was taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle on Friday, where he remained in a stable condition.
Police are reviewing GoPro footage of the couple capturing dolphins in the water moments before the attack. It is not yet known whether the attack was recorded on camera. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
