Jurien Bay shark attack: Woman attacked by tiger shark off Sandland Island coast to undergo surgery

An international tourist who was attacked by a tiger shark in waist deep water near Jurien Bay has undergone surgery to a serious wound to her leg. The woman, aged in her mid-40s, was flown to Royal Perth Hospital on Monday after she was bitten by a 2m shark during a sea lion tour around 11.30am off the coast of Sandland Island in the Jurien Bay Marine Park. The West Australian understands doctors are working tirelessly to save the woman’s leg after she was bitten. A Royal Perth Hospital spokeswoman confirmed on Tuesday morning that the woman is now in a stable condition after she arrived at the hospital fighting for her life. She is due to undergo emergency surgery. Following the incident, the woman was lifted back to shore, with the assistance of volunteer firefighters, where she was met by paramedics near the Jurien Bay jetty and rushed to the local hospital via ambulance. Kane Krollig, captain of the Turquoise Safaris vessel which carried out the tour, said he and the crew were watching over the tour group when he heard a “lady screaming”. “I looked, I saw blood and gave the signal for the crew to round everyone up,” he said, adding he did not see the shark. Mr Krollig said crew members helped the injured woman back onto the vessel and they assisted in putting a tourniquet on her leg, before he drove the boat back to the harbour. “It would have been 15 mins max,” he said. “We were 100 per cent there for the lady ... it was just a freak incident ... (but) a very frightening experience for everyone on board. “The crew were the heroes, I just drove the boat.” Mr Krollig said the woman appeared to be in shock, simultaneously laughing and crying while the crew tended to her injury and tried to help her. There were 16 people on board in total, including crew, with the Japanese and Chinese passengers speaking little English. On Monday morning, a Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development spokesman said an investigation into the incident was underway. “DPIRD is working with local authorities and further information will be provided as it becomes available,” he said. Beaches between Sandy Cape and North Head remain closed following the shark attack and people in the area are urged by authorities to adhere to all beach closures. Local authorities are continuing to coordinate their response to the incident. According to the WA SharkSmart website, there have been two shark sightings in Jurien Bay over the past fortnight. The first sighting was on February 11 when a member of the public reported a 3m shark of unknown species about 10m offshore of North Dog Beach. Then, on February 17, a 1.5m shark, species unknown, was spotted near the Jurien Bay boat ramp in the town’s marina.