A NAVY diver, attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbour, is undergoing emergency surgery on severe injuries to his hand and thigh.
A NSW ambulance spokesman said the 31-year-old clearance diver was swimming at Wolloomooloo Bay when he was attacked just before 7am (AEDT) on Wednesday, suffering severe injuries to his right hand and thigh.
The attack happened near Garden Island Naval Base, at Wolloomooloo Bay, in Sydney’s inner east, according to NSW Water police.
The diver was rushed to nearby St Vincent’s Hospital where he is undergoing surgery. A spokesperson described his condition as critical but stable.
A NSW ambulance spokesman said the 31-year-old man was taking part in a defence exercise at Wolloomooloo Bay when he was attacked.
Defence has confirmed the diver was taking part in the Kondari Trial, a test of new technologies to protect ports and ships from terrorist attack, which began on Monday.
A spokesman for the Defence Science and Technology Organisation said the trial had been suspended.
One shark expert has said it was likely to be a bull shark attack.
“If the injuries are severe, it’s more likely to be a bull shark,” shark expert John West from Taronga Zoo said
“This time of year, there’s a number of species of sharks which are in the harbour: wobbegong, Port Jackson, as well as more dangerous types such as the bull shark and the dusky shark.
“Certainly, sharks occur in the harbour all year round.
“The bull sharks are the most dangerous. But I don’t know what sort of shark is involved or the circumstances.”
He said bull sharks could grow to up to three-and-a-half metres and Dusky Sharks up to two metres.
The last shark attack in Sydney Harbour was at Atol Bay, near Taronga Zoo, and the last fatal shark attack in the harbour occurred in 1963, Mr West said.
Martha Hathaway was killed by a Bull Shark at Middle Harbour in 1963.
A report on the likelihood of shark attacks in Sydney Harbour during the 2000 Olympic Games said the risk was infinitesimally small.
However, the report, by Mr West and Dr John Paxton, research fellow at the Australian Museum, also said: “We recognise that in biology exceptions can occur and that it is never safe to say never”.
Additional Reporting: AAP
The attack happened near Garden Island Naval Base, at Wolloomooloo Bay, in Sydney’s inner east, according to NSW Water police.
The diver was rushed to nearby St Vincent’s Hospital where he is undergoing surgery. A spokesperson described his condition as critical but stable.
A NSW ambulance spokesman said the 31-year-old man was taking part in a defence exercise at Wolloomooloo Bay when he was attacked.
Defence has confirmed the diver was taking part in the Kondari Trial, a test of new technologies to protect ports and ships from terrorist attack, which began on Monday.
A spokesman for the Defence Science and Technology Organisation said the trial had been suspended.
One shark expert has said it was likely to be a bull shark attack.
“If the injuries are severe, it’s more likely to be a bull shark,” shark expert John West from Taronga Zoo said
“This time of year, there’s a number of species of sharks which are in the harbour: wobbegong, Port Jackson, as well as more dangerous types such as the bull shark and the dusky shark.
“Certainly, sharks occur in the harbour all year round.
“The bull sharks are the most dangerous. But I don’t know what sort of shark is involved or the circumstances.”
He said bull sharks could grow to up to three-and-a-half metres and Dusky Sharks up to two metres.
The last shark attack in Sydney Harbour was at Atol Bay, near Taronga Zoo, and the last fatal shark attack in the harbour occurred in 1963, Mr West said.
Martha Hathaway was killed by a Bull Shark at Middle Harbour in 1963.
A report on the likelihood of shark attacks in Sydney Harbour during the 2000 Olympic Games said the risk was infinitesimally small.
However, the report, by Mr West and Dr John Paxton, research fellow at the Australian Museum, also said: “We recognise that in biology exceptions can occur and that it is never safe to say never”.
Additional Reporting: AAP