Shark Kills Woman in Her 20s, Critically Injures Partner After Attack During Early Morning Swim

A woman in her 20s has died and a man remains in critical condition after a shark attack at Kylies Beach in New South Wales, Australia.

The pair, a couple from Switzerland, had reportedly arrived at the Kylies Beach campground the previous evening and went for a morning swim when the attack occurred, according to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian.

In a statement released on Thursday, Nov. 27, police confirmed that the woman died as a result of her injuries. While she has not yet been formally identified, authorities believe she was in her 20s.

“About 6.30am (Thursday 27 November 2025), emergency services were called to a beach at Crowdy Bay following reports two people had been bitten by a shark,” police said.

The Department of Primary Industries told The Sydney Morning Herald and the BBC that the shark is believed to have been a bull shark measuring around 10 feet in length.

Authorities added, “Witnesses assisted the pair prior to the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, the woman died at the scene.”

“The man — also believed to be aged in his 20s — sustained serious injuries and has been airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition,” the NSW Police Force said in their release.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the man is reported to have tried to fight off the shark in an attempt to save his partner before he was also bitten.

Bystanders used a makeshift tourniquet on the man’s leg before paramedics arrived, authorities told the BBC.

“The courage from some bystanders is amazing in this situation,” NSW Ambulance Superintendent Josh Smyth told reporters, according to the outlet. “To put yourself out there is heroic and obviously it did give us time to get to that male patient.”

“The beach has been closed and officers attached to Manning/Great Lakes Police District will liaise with experts from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to determine the species of shark involved,” police added.

They concluded that a report will be prepared for the Coroner.