Authorities have closed access to La Perouse beaches in the Botany Bay area of New South Wales, Australia, following a great white shark attack on swimmers last weekend. A 55-year-old woman was bitten by a shark while swimming 20 meters off the coast of Little Congwong. She suffered serious leg injuries and was taken by paramedics to hospital, where she underwent surgery and is recovering. This was the first shark attack in the area in the last 25 years and left local residents shocked. In an interview with the website News.com.au, the city's mayor, Lindsay Shurey said that “she (the victim) is very lucky not to have lost (amputated) her leg... and also to have survived”. The area was closed for 24 hours after the attack was recorded. POINT GAY The beach where the attack took place, Little Congwong Beach, is a popular meeting place for the gay male community. Although it is not officially a nudist beach, its hidden and out-of-the-way location, protected by trees, attracts sunbathers who like to sunbathe naked. After investigation, the place was reopened during the weekend. However, it is advised that swimmers be more cautious and avoid swimming in the vicinity of the attack. As a precautionary measure, Shurey said the council will look into the need to install shark nets at the site to prevent further accidents.
