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Man attacked by shark at Bicton’s Blackwall Reach in rare attack in Swan River

The West Australian
VideoA new poll has found four in 10 West Aussies are too scared to go further than 5m in the water because of the risk of a shark attack

A man in his 50s is in a critical but stable condition after he was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital this morning following a shark attack in the Swan River at the popular swimming spot Blackwall Reach in Bicton.

In what is thought to be the first shark attack in the Swan River in nearly 50 years, the swimmer is believed to have been bitten by a bull shark at about 7.58am this morning.

Police talk with members of public on the river banks after the shark attack in Bicton this morning.
Camera IconPolice talk with members of public on the river banks after the shark attack in Bicton this morning. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The West Australian

It is understood the man was rescued by a couple of kayakers — who rushed to his aid and wrapped a tourniquet around his side.

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Witnesses said people immediately paddled over after hearing screaming and seeing a pool of blood — with reports the swimmer was struggling to get to shore.

It’s believed he was bitten on the upper right leg near the buttock.

Police patrol the water after a shark attack in the Swan River.
Camera IconPolice patrol the water after a shark attack in the Swan River. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The West Australian

A caller to 6PR, who happened to be jogging when the mauling took place, said she saw the man and helped to administer first aid.

She said the man’s injuries were not thought to be life threatening although doctors are said to now be assessing whether or not he requires surgery.

Rescue helicopter, police and fisheries at the scene of a shark attack near Blackwall Reach in Bicton this morning.
Camera IconRescue helicopter, police and fisheries at the scene of a shark attack near Blackwall Reach in Bicton this morning. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

Swimming lessons were scheduled for the area, but they have now been moved.

Surf Life Saving WA reported a subsequent sighting of an unknown shark species, east of the attack near Aquinas College at 9.39am this morning.

While it has not been confirmed that it is the same shark, a member of the public spotted it swimming in shallow waters from the Mount Henry Bridge.

The City of Melville has closed the area between Bicton Baths and Point Walter.

Water Police officers are assisting DPIRD Fisheries officers, who are conducting water and land based patrols of the area.

Helicopters from WA Police and Surf Life Saving have both conducted aerial sweeps of the surrounding area this morning.

It is understood there have been just four recorded shark attacks in the Swan River, the most recent in 1973 — some 48 years ago. The most recent death was in 1923.

The iconic spot is popular with swimmers and has long been known for a place where people jump of the rocks.
Camera IconThe iconic spot is popular with swimmers and has long been known for a place where people jump of the rocks. Credit: Simon Boyd/supplied

The attack this morning comes off the back of a particularly bad 12 months for shark attacks across Australia.

Police remain at the scene of a shark attack at Blackwall Reach in Bicton this morning.
Camera IconPolice remain at the scene of a shark attack at Blackwall Reach in Bicton this morning. Credit: Daryna Zadvirna/The West Australian

In 2020 there were eight deaths around the country — three of which occurred off WA’s shores.

The first attack happened nearly 12 months ago to the day on January 5 when WA’s southern community of Esperance was left devastated after popular local Gary Johnson, 57, was killed by a great white while diving with his wife, Karen Milligan.

The couple were near Cull Island at a depth of about 7m when the shark attacked.

Esperance shark attack Gary Johnson.
Camera IconEsperance shark attack Gary Johnson. Credit: Facebook / Esperance Dive Club/Facebook / Esperance Dive Club

Esperance endured a devastating year on the water, with local surfer Andrew Sharpe, 40 taken just six weeks prior to that at Kelp Beds.

Andrew Sharpe.
Camera IconAndrew Sharpe. Credit: unknown/Dianne Spitalny

It was the same spot where 17-year-old Laeticia Brouwer was killed by a shark in 2017 and Bunbury man Sean Pollard was mauled in 2014, though he survived.

Charlie Cernobori was the third death in the State, killed while bodyboarding 30 metres offshore at the popular Cable Beach in Broome.

The tragedy in Broome marked the 14th fatal shark attack in WA in the past decade.

Since records began, 31 people have been killed by sharks in WA with 18 of the attacks taking place in the past 20 years.

The latest attack comes as an exclusive People’s Voice Poll by Painted Dog Research found seven in 10 West Australians are swimming closer to shore due to shark fears.

Research found 74 per cent of the State’s beach swimmers were staying in the shallows because of the shark risk with 79 per cent not game to venture out further than 10m,

However, shark expert Hugh Edwards told The West Australian the logic in staying closer to shore might not stack up.

“We actually really don’t know who they’re going to go for. We just can’t predict it. There’s not enough evidence,” Mr Edwards said.

“In Cottesloe, there’s a reef that comes offshore, people swim up and along and around it, but the people who got eaten were the ones who were by the beach on either side, not the ones swimming around.

“All you can do is when you go swimming make sure you’re close to others and remain close to smaller people than yourself because a shark would go for the smaller person.”

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