Two injured following shark attack in Whitsundays

Two people have been injured following a shark attack in the Whitsundays.

On Thursday morning, Queensland Ambulance confirmed that two shark attacks had been reported in shallow beach water near a location off Resort Drive at around 9:29am.

“Two patients are being treated at Hamilton Island Medical Centre,” a tweet by Queensland Ambulance read. “One patient sustained a foot injury and the second patient a leg injury.”

#Whitsundays – Two shark bites have been reported in shallow beach water at a location off Resort Drive at 9:29am. Two patients are being treated at Hamilton Island Medical Centre. One patient sustained a foot injury and the second patient a leg injury. pic.twitter.com/PzZU0xQdZM

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) January 10, 2019

In another statement on Thursday afternoon, Queensland Ambulance confirmed the two people injured had not sustained life-threatening injuries.

“1 adult was treated for a leg wound at Hamilton Island Medical Centre & 1 child was transported via VMR to Proserpine Hospital for further treatment to foot injuries,” the statement on Twitter read. “Both patients were stable, with non-life-threatening injuries.”

#Update on Shark Bite incident in #Whitsundays – 1 adult was treated for a leg wound at Hamilton Island Medical Centre & 1 child was transported via VMR to Proserpine Hospital for further treatment to foot injuries. Both patients were stable, with non-life-threatening injuries.

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) January 10, 2019

Meanwhile, a statement from Hamilton Island obtained by 7 News confirmed that a child and adult were involved in the attack.

“Hamilton Island can confirm a child and an adult sustained lacerations from a shark less than 1 metre long, during an incident off Catseye Beach this morning,” the statement read. “Both were treated at the Hamilton Island medical centre prior to being medivaced to the mainland for further care. Hamilton Island is part of the Whitsundays marine ecology and sharks are known to be present in the waters in the region.

“The priority at all times for Hamilton Island is the safety of our guests and closure and surveillance of Catseye Beach is ongoing.”

It’s not the first time a person has been attacked by a shark in the Whitsundays area. Last November, a Victorian tourist died following an attack in the iconic Queensland tourist destination. The man was swimming off a charter boat with friends when the attack occurred.

Read more: Man dies following shark attack in Queensland

Despite being airlifted to from Cid Harbour to Mackay Hospital in a critical condition with significant leg and wrist injuries, the man did not survive his injuries.

That attack came just six weeks after two other people were attacked in the same area. On September 20, Tasmanian woman Justine Barwick was bitten as she snorkelled in Cid Harbour.

The 46-year-old received serious injuries and underwent an extensive 18-hour reconstructive surgery to save her mauled right leg. Less than 24 hours later, Melbourne schoolgirl Hannah Papps was attacked while swimming in an area nearby. She was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition where she was treated for the injuries sustained to her leg.

Following those two attacks, four sharks were killed off the coast of Queensland. Officials from Fisheries Queensland enticed the sharks using baited lines. Despite being unsure whether they were the creatures responsible for the attacks, the predators were then “humanely euthanised”.

“Nothing is more important than the protection of human life,” Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said in a statement following the attacks. “I want these drum lines in place as soon as possible. Fisheries officers and water police are already patrolling the area.”

The state government’s actions were later slammed by conservation groups and members of the public, who argued culling makes the situation worse and doesn’t prevent future attacks.

Have you been following this story? What needs to be done to protect swimmers from shark attacks?