Boy, 12, and man critically hurt in Sydney after three shark attacks in two days
Officials say days of heavy rain have filled Sydney Harbour with fresh water, creating ideal conditions for bull sharks.
Monday 19 January 2026 10:53, UK
Two people, including a 12-year-old boy, are reported to be critically ill after separate shark attacks in Sydney, the third incident in two days.
The boy had been jumping off rocks with friends late on Sunday afternoon, off Shark Beach in Vaucluse, when he was bitten.
Police said he was pulled from the water by friends and emergency services with severe injuries to both legs.
"He's in for the fight of his life now, and the actions of emergency services yesterday gave him that chance," New South Wales Police Superintendent Joseph McNulty told reporters.
Two more incidents were also reported in Sydney by local media on Monday.
According to a local ambulance spokesperson, a surfer has been critically injured off North Steyne Beach in Manly.
9News reported that a group of people pulled the man from the water and on to the sand after he was bitten by a shark on the leg.
It said an 11-year-old boy also had a narrow escape when a shark took a bite out of his surfboard.
It added that the child, who was helped by lifesavers, was unscathed after the attack off Dee Why Beach, near Dee Why Point.
The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said analysis of the estimated 15cm chunk bite mark suggested it was likely from a bull shark.
The Northern Beaches Council said in a statement it had installed shark warning signs and deployed a jet ski to patrol the waters.
It added that New South Wales Surf Life Saving had also launched a drone to monitor the water for sharks.
Read more from Paste BN:
'State of catastrophe' in Chile
Senegal players storm off pitch
Spain train crash 'mangled mess'
The incidents followed days of heavy rain that filled Sydney Harbour with fresh water, creating ideal conditions for the bull shark suspected to be behind Sunday's attack.
"We believe the combination of the brackish water, the fresh water, the actions of the splashing may have made that perfect storm environment for that shark attack yesterday," Sup McNulty added.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Paste BN app for free
Australia sees around 20 shark attacks per year, with just under three of those being fatalities, according to data from conservation groups - numbers that are dwarfed by drownings and other accidents on the country's beaches.