SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — A 12-year-old boy remains in a critical condition at Sydney Children’s Hospital on Monday, January 19, 2026, after being mauled by a large shark in the waters of Sydney Harbour. The attack, which took place near the popular Shark Beach in the eastern suburb of Vaucluse, occurred while the boy was jumping off a six-metre rock ledge with friends.
Police have described the scene as “horrendous,” noting that the boy suffered severe injuries to both of his lower limbs. Authorities have credited a “textbook” emergency response—including the application of double tourniquets by marine police within minutes—for giving the child a fighting chance at survival.
1. The ‘Perfect Storm’: Why the Shark Struck
New South Wales Police Superintendent Joseph McNulty explained that several environmental factors converged to create high-risk conditions on Sunday:
- Heavy Rainfall: Recent storms flushed significant amounts of fresh water and debris into the harbor.
- Brackish Conditions: Bull sharks, the primary suspect in this attack, thrive in murky, brackish (low salinity) water, which is often found near river mouths and harbour inlets after rain.
- Splashing Activity: The group of children jumping into the “muddy” water likely triggered the shark’s predatory instincts in the low-visibility environment.
2. Heroic Rescue by Friends and Police
The 12-year-old’s friends have been hailed as heroes for their quick thinking under extreme pressure.
- Brave Intervention: Despite the “confronting” nature of the injuries, his friends jumped in to pull the unconscious boy back to the rock shelf.
- Rapid Response: Police vessel Water Police 41 arrived at Steele Point Road within minutes of the 000 call. Officers administered CPR and applied medical tourniquets while speeding toward a waiting ambulance at Rose Bay wharf.
- Medical Status: The boy had lost a significant pulse due to blood loss but was stabilized enough to be intubated and transported to the intensive care unit.
3. Sydney’s Summer of Shark Concern
This incident is the latest in a series of sightings and encounters that have put Sydney’s beachgoers on edge.
- Damaged Nets: Shark nets at Nielsen Park, which usually provide a barrier for Shark Beach, were reportedly damaged by heavy swells in early 2025 and have yet to be fully restored.
- Broader Context: This attack follows a fatal encounter at Long Reef Beach in September 2025, where surfer Mercury Psillakis was killed.
- Beach Closures: Shark Beach, Camp Cove, and Nielsen Park remain closed on Monday as Surf Life Saving NSW (SLS) monitors the area with drones.
Sydney Harbour Safety Alert
| Location | Status | Precaution |
| Vaucluse / Shark Beach | CLOSED | Avoid all rock-jumping activity. |
| Nielsen Park | CLOSED | Swimming prohibited until further notice. |
| Harbour Waters | Caution | Do not swim in murky or brackish water after rain. |