24 Shark Against Man 



than had been seen in recent memory. This time, there was no mystery 

 about what had lured the shark packs. Heavy rains and floods had swept 

 countless fish down the rivers and into the sea along much of Australia's 

 coast. 



At many beach resorts, shark patrols were doubled, and swimmers 

 were continually warned against swimming alone or venturing out too 

 far. Along the coasts of Victoria and New South Wales, at least 15 

 Gray Nurse and White Pointer sharks were killed. 



But, in mid-December, a 22-year-old man was attacked off the 

 Queensland coast. His left leg was mauled, and he died within a week. 

 Then, on December 28th, an 18-year-old girl and her 24-year-old boy 

 friend went swimming at Mackay, Queensland. They were standing in 

 about 2^ feet of water about 12 feet from shore when a shark knocked 

 down the girl. In three savage attacks, the shark ripped off one of the 

 girl's arms and part of the other and slashed her right thigh. Her com- 

 panion desperately beat the shark with his fists. His right hand suddenly 

 gushed blood. By this time, a third bather came to their aid, and the shark 

 disappeared. Forty-eight hours later, the girl died. 



