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Swimmer Dies in Shark Attack at Perth Beach
Confirmed
In Short: A swimmer died after being bitten by a shark at Sorrento Beach in Perth's northern suburbs, prompting the closure of nearby beaches.
A swimmer died after being bitten by a shark at Sorrento Beach in Perth's northern suburbs, according to police. The attack occurred on Friday morning, with witnesses reporting seeing blood in the water.
Police helicopters and boats scoured the waters off Sorrento Beach after emergency services were called to the scene. The attack comes just a week after Surf Lifesaving WA began its helicopter shark patrols on weekends ahead of the summer season.
The City of Joondalup has closed Hillarys, Whitfords, and Mullaloo beaches in the wake of the attack. Authorities have also closed beaches from Marmion to Iluka until at least noon on Saturday.
This is the second shark attack in Western Australia this week. A man lost part of his leg in an attack at Glenfield Beach, north of Perth, earlier in the week.
What's confirmed
- A swimmer died after being bitten by a shark at Sorrento Beach in Perth's northern suburbs, according to police. The attack occurred on Friday morning, with witnesses reporting seeing blood in the water.
- Police helicopters and boats scoured the waters off Sorrento Beach after emergency services were called to the scene. The attack comes just a week after Surf Lifesaving WA began its helicopter shark patrols on weekends ahead of the summer season.
- The City of Joondalup has closed Hillarys, Whitfords, and Mullaloo beaches in the wake of the attack. Authorities have also closed beaches from Marmion to Iluka until at least noon on Saturday.
- This is the second shark attack in Western Australia this week. A man lost part of his leg in an attack at Glenfield Beach, north of Perth, earlier in the week.
What's still developing
- Police are at the site of the suspected shark attack off Sorrento Beach. ( ABC News: Andrew O'Connor ) WA police have been patrolling the beach since, with officers earlier seen standing along the shoreline next to a red surfboard.
- Police are patrolling the beach, which is now closed. ( ABC News: Andrew O'Connor ) Ms Rapaic told the ABC she was walking along the beach with a friend when the incident occurred.
- "My friend said, 'Jac, I think there's been a shark attack' and I looked out to the ocean and I could see a pool of blood," she said.
- Crowds gathered on the footpath above Sorrento Beach. ( ABC News: Mya Kordic ) "There were a bunch of police and ambulances and a few people standing down by the water's edge near the groyne … there appeared to be a couple of surfboards or paddle boards down by the beach," he said.
- Police are patrolling Sorrento Beach following a suspected shark attack. ( ABC News: Andrew O'Connor ) Barriers are used at Cottesloe, Coogee, Quinns Beach in Wanneroo and Bathers Beach in Fremantle, but some of these are seasonal only and not installed until October.
- Hillarys MP Caitlin Collins, whose electorate includes Sorrento Beach, said the attack was deeply distressing for the community.
- The attack came after a 2.5-metre shark was seen in the area.
- Police confirmed the male swimmer died as a result of the attack, but provided no further details.