A woman has died and a man has been seriously injured after a shark attacked two people who were swimming at Kylies Beach in Crowdy Bay National Park on Australia’s New South Wales Mid North Coast on Thursday morning. The incident occurred about 6:30 a.m. local time and prompted an immediate emergency response and the temporary closure of nearby beaches.
Police and emergency services said the pair — reported by several outlets to be Swiss tourists in their 20s who had been staying at a nearby campground — were attacked while swimming at the remote, unpatrolled beach. Despite resuscitation attempts, the woman died at the scene; the man was flown to John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition after bystanders applied a makeshift tourniquet that medics said likely helped save his life. The Swiss consulate is assisting the victims’ relatives.
State authorities and marine agencies believe a large bull shark was responsible for the attack. Drones were deployed to search the water and “smart” drumlines were set to try to locate and capture the animal involved; police said a report will be prepared for the coroner. Local officials closed Crowdy Bay’s beaches and increased surveillance of the coastline while the investigation continues.
Witnesses and community leaders praised the rapid actions of bystanders and emergency crews. Media reports described rescuers and campers rushing to assist and perform first aid at the scene before paramedics arrived. Local authorities urged beachgoers to stay out of the water while searches continue and reminded the public that many beaches in the area are unpatrolled.
The attack is the latest fatal shark incident in Australia this year; outlets note it is among several shark bite fatalities recorded in 2025, a year that has seen multiple high-profile encounters along the country’s coastline. Experts and officials are expected to review environmental and marine-traffic conditions in the area as part of the
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