At a Glance
- A surfer in his 20s is in critical condition after a shark bite at North Steyne Beach on January 19
- Three shark incidents hit Sydney’s Northern Beaches in 24 hours
- Beaches remain closed while police review safety measures
- Why it matters: The rare cluster of attacks has sparked urgent safety reviews for one of Australia’s busiest coastlines
Sydney’s Northern Beaches are on high alert after three shark encounters in 24 hours, leaving two people in critical condition and prompting widespread beach closures.
Third Attack in One Day
Emergency services were called to North Steyne Beach at 6:20 p.m. on January 19 after reports a surfer had been bitten. The man, believed to be in his 20s, suffered serious leg injuries and was pulled from the water by bystanders who administered first aid before paramedics arrived.
NSW Police confirmed the victim was treated at the scene and transported to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. The victim has not been publicly identified.
Rapid-Fire Incidents
The North Steyne attack followed two other incidents within a single day:
- Earlier January 19: An 11-year-old boy escaped injury when a suspected bull shark bit his surfboard at Dee Why Beach
- January 18: A 13-year-old boy was critically injured after being bitten while jumping off rocks at Shark Beach in Vaucluse around 4:20 p.m.
The youngest victim sustained serious leg injuries “consistent with what is believed to have been a large shark,” according to NSW Police. He was taken to Children’s Hospital at Randwick and remains in critical condition.
Beach Lockdown
NSW Police immediately closed all Northern Beaches and say closures will be “reviewed on an ongoing basis.” The directive covers the entire coastline from Manly to Palm Beach, disrupting summer plans for thousands of residents and tourists.
Officers urged swimmers and surfers to stay out of the water while aerial and water patrols search for the animals responsible. No shark species has been officially confirmed in any of the three incidents.
Community Response
Local surf clubs and volunteer lifesavers are assisting with beach patrols and public warnings. Many residents expressed shock at the rapid sequence of encounters.
“It’s unheard of to have three incidents in such a short timeframe,” one Manly local told News Of Los Angeles. “Everyone’s talking about it and checking on family and friends who surf or swim daily.”
Investigation Underway
NSW Police have not speculated on whether the same shark or sharks were involved in each incident. Marine biologists from the NSW Department of Primary Industries are analyzing bite patterns and environmental factors, including water temperature, baitfish movements and recent weather events that could influence shark behavior.
Authorities have asked anyone who witnessed the attacks or noticed unusual marine activity to contact Crime Stoppers.
History of Attacks
Sydney Harbour and its surrounding beaches record an average of one to two shark bites per year, making three in 24 hours an extreme statistical outlier. The last fatality in the region occurred in 2021 at nearby Little Bay.
Key Takeaways
- Two people remain in critical condition after separate shark bites on January 18 and 19
- An 11-year-old boy had a narrow escape when a shark bit only his board at Dee Why
- All Northern Beaches are closed indefinitely as police and fisheries teams assess risk
- Officials have not identified which shark species were involved in any incident
