Woman In Stable Condition Following Sydney Harbour Shark Attack

The woman who was attacked by a shark while swimming in Sydney harbour remains in hospital in a stable condition.

On Monday night, Lauren O’Neill, a woman in her 20s, was bitten on the right leg by a suspected bull shark while swimming at Elizabeth Bay.

Paramedics were called to Billyard Avenue at 7.45pm on Monday night to help Ms O’Neill, who NSW Ambulance said was able to swim to a jetty after the attack.

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She suffered severe blood loss from the injuries and was treated by a vet who was nearby at the time and was able to administer first aid.

Ms O’Neill was rushed to St Vincent’s hospital also suffering from a state of shock where hospital staff worked through the night to stabilise her condition.

Speaking to The Guardian, St Vincent’s Hospital confirmed Ms O’Neill remained in hospital.

A witness said he heard the scream of Ms O’Neill as she tried to pull herself out of the water.

“She had been attacked about 20 metres off from the jetty – there was blood all throughout the water and all over the jetty,” he said to the Sydney Morning Herald.

City of Sydney Councillor Linda Scott has advised people to stay out of the water around the harbour.

“I’m extremely concerned to learn of a shark attack in our City of Sydney,” she said on Instagram.

“Please, stay out of the harbour until further notice.

“Thank you to the bystanders who stood in to bravely help and to St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney for their care of the victim.”

NSW’s Department of Primary Industries, which is responsible for shark management, has not confirmed whether the attack was from a shark.

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