Kylies Beach, a secluded paradise on the NSW Mid North Coast, turned into the scene of a brutal and tragic shark attack early this morning, leaving one woman dead and one man severely injured. Amidst the tragedy, an anonymous hero emerged, performing an extraordinary act credited with saving a life.

Nightmare at Dawn

At approximately 6:30 AM, two international tourists in their twenties, confirmed to be known to each other, were fatally attacked while swimming near the Crowdy Bay campground. The incident unfolded swiftly and savagely, sending shockwaves through the local community.

Marine experts from the DPIRD (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development) later confirmed through forensic analysis that the predator was likely a LARGE BULL SHARK—a species known for its aggression and tendency to hunt in shallow waters.

The Woman Falls: Rescue Efforts Fail

Despite receiving immediate assistance from bystanders on the shore, the woman succumbed to her severe injuries. She was pronounced dead before paramedics arrived. Chief Inspector Timothy Bayly of the Manning/Great Lakes Police District confirmed that formal identification of the female victim, in her mid-twenties, is being rushed to contact her family overseas. The vacation tragedy has turned into an unimaginable ordeal.

The Unsung Savior: Makeshift Tourniquet Saves a Life

The male victim’s life was pulled back from the brink thanks to the astonishing quick thinking of a bystander. NSW Ambulance Mid North Coast Zone Manager Josh Smyth had high praise for the heroic action.

“We have to give a shout-out to the bystander on the beach who had a makeshift tourniquet on the male’s leg,” Smyth emphasized. “That brave action potentially saved his life.”

Thanks to the immediate first aid, the male victim was air-lifted to John Hunter Hospital and is now in a serious, but stable condition, following emergency treatment at the scene.

Peninsula Shutdown: History Repeats

The incident is particularly haunting as it echoes the trauma suffered just 15 months ago by local surfer Kai McKenzie, who lost his leg to a shark nearby and was also saved by an improvised tourniquet (a dog lead).

In response to the tragedy, Port Macquarie Hastings Council has immediately closed Kylies Beach and surrounding beaches. Police are collaborating with fisheries experts, deploying drones and SMART Drumlines (intelligent capture systems) to monitor and try to locate the attacking shark.

This harrowing event marks the fourth shark fatality recorded in Australia in 2025—a grim reminder of the lurking dangers in this seaside “paradise.” Authorities have activated emergency mental health support programs for witnesses and those affected.