Randwick City Council has closed all beaches across the eastern suburbs for 24 hours following a serious shark incident at Coogee Beach yesterday morning.
The closure includes Coogee, Clovelly and Maroubra Beaches, as well as all other ocean beaches under Council management, as a precautionary measure, the Council said in a statement.
Waverley Council has also closed Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama Beaches.
Ocean pools such as Mahon and Malabar pools remain open.
Emergency services responded after a woman was attacked by a three metre shark while swimming close to shore within the flagged area at Coogee Beach at around 11am on Saturday.
Council lifeguards stationed at Coogee Beach responded immediately, administering emergency first aid and CPR before paramedics arrived.
The woman left the beach in a critical condition and was transported to St Vincent’s Hospital.
Randwick Mayor, Dylan Parker thanked members of the public, life savers and Council lifeguards for their swift and professional actions.
“Council lifeguards and emergency responders acted quickly in difficult circumstances, and their efforts have been nothing short of extraordinary,” Mayor Parker said.
“Unsurprisingly, there are lots of very shaken up individuals right now having witnessed a very scary incident. Our beaches are closed for at least the next 24 hours and we strongly advise the community to stay out of the water.
“Our hearts and thoughts go out to the woman, her friends and family. The whole community is behind her and wishing her a speedy recovery.”
Randwick Council is working closely with Surf Life Saving NSW, NSW Police and other authorities to monitor the situation.
Beach patrols will continue and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available, it said in a statement.
Residents and visitors are urged to follow all beach closure signs and avoid entering the water until further notice.
