Shark Attack at Cabarita Beach: Teen Victim Praised for Courage and Calm
It was a sunny afternoon at Cabarita Beach, a stunning coastal gem nestled between Byron Bay and Tweed Heads in northern New South Wales. Families, surfers, and locals were enjoying the winter sun when a moment of horror unfolded in the surf. A 16-year-old boy, simply out for a swim, was bitten by a shark. What happened next was a powerful reminder of community strength and human resilience.
Just before 4pm on Sunday, emergency services were called to Norries Headland. The teenage boy had sustained traumatic injuries to both his right arm and leg after being attacked by a shark in the water. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as surfers and beachgoers rushed into action. A video shared on social media shows the boy being carried from the shoreline by fellow surfers, acting quickly to get him to safety.
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One of the first on the scene was an off-duty paramedic from Queensland, Lauren Stokes, who just happened to be at the beach for a relaxing day. She described the response as a "complete team effort," crediting the brave bystanders who helped get the boy out of the water. A surfboard was reportedly used as an improvised stretcher, and a tourniquet was applied swiftly to control bleeding—actions that likely saved his life.
Despite the severe injuries, Lauren said the teen remained calm and composed throughout. He was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital in serious but stable condition. A second rescue helicopter scanned the area for the shark, but no sightings were reported. One surfer described seeing a "black figure" about two meters long swimming nearby just before the attack, reinforcing the unpredictability of nature in our oceans.
NSW Surf Lifesaving CEO Stephen Pearce commented on the increase in shark activity during whale migration season, calling it a case of “wrong time, wrong place.” The beach remains closed until further notice as safety assessments continue.
This terrifying incident has shaken the local community, but it also revealed something remarkable: the unhesitating bravery of strangers, the quick thinking of off-duty professionals, and the strength of a young teen who, despite his pain and shock, showed extraordinary courage. While the waters of Cabarita Beach may now seem more daunting, the events of that day also remind us of the profound capacity for heroism in ordinary people.
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