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Woman Airlifted After Coogee Shark Attack; Beaches Closed

6/13/2026

28 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Bystanders pulled the woman from the water and administered first aid before emergency crews arrived.
Police cleared Coogee Oval to allow a Careflight helicopter to land and airlift the victim to St Vincent’s Hospital.
Coogee beach and nearby Clovelly and Bronte were closed to swimmers after the attack.
Authorities have recorded nine shark attacks in Australia since the start of 2026, four of which have been fatal.

History

Historical Context

In 2004 a wave of shark attacks killed five people on New South Wales beaches, leading the state government to spend A$10 million on nets at 51 sites; the next year fatalities fell about 30 percent. This mirrors shark-control efforts such as Queensland’s netting since the 1960s that has seen only one death, and informs the 2026 closures of Coogee Oval after nine attacks.

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Story summary

Bystanders pulled the woman from the water and administered first aid before emergency crews arrived.
Police cleared Coogee Oval to allow a Careflight helicopter to land and airlift the victim to St Vincent’s Hospital.
Coogee beach and nearby Clovelly and Bronte were closed to swimmers after the attack.
Authorities have recorded nine shark attacks in Australia since the start of 2026, four of which have been fatal.

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