Story perspectives

Off-Duty Lifeguard Saves Shark-Bitten Swimmer; Beaches Closed, Drones Deployed

6/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Off-duty lifeguard Charlie Verco dove into the water and pulled the shark-bitten swimmer to shore, saving her.
The 35-year-old victim remains in critical condition at St Vincent’s Hospital.
Randwick City Council closed Coogee, Clovelly and Maroubra beaches for 24 hours while Waverley Council closed Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama.
Mayor Dylan Parker praised responders while Surf Life Saving NSW deployed drones over the Bondi-to-Bronte stretch for the rest of Saturday and Sunday.

History

Historical Context

In 1907 the Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club helped launch the Surf Bathing Association of NSW, which evolved into Surf Life Saving Australia’s 314 clubs that now patrol more than 600 beaches. By 2020 the movement counted over 70,000 volunteers, and the 2024 Bondi shark bite prompted Randwick and Waverley councils and Surf Life Saving NSW to close beaches and deploy drones.

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Story summary

Off-duty lifeguard Charlie Verco dove into the water and pulled the shark-bitten swimmer to shore, saving her.
The 35-year-old victim remains in critical condition at St Vincent’s Hospital.
Randwick City Council closed Coogee, Clovelly and Maroubra beaches for 24 hours while Waverley Council closed Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama.
Mayor Dylan Parker praised responders while Surf Life Saving NSW deployed drones over the Bondi-to-Bronte stretch for the rest of Saturday and Sunday.

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