The shark attack that caused a swimmer’s death at Little Bay Beach earlier in February 2022 has reminded people of horrifying stories about shark attacks on Coogee Beach around 100 years ago.
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One hundred years ago, on the 4th of February 1922, Milton Coughlan, 18, joined the celebrations for the Coogee Surf Club’s annual carnival. He got down on the rocks near the club, swimming about 30 metres out, into the area known as ‘the reef.’
It seemed like a perfect day for surfing –it was a sunny day, the sky was clear, and around 6,000 spectators gathered to watch the carnival.
Little did he and his friends know that a shark would strike with violence whilst Coughlan was swimming to shore. It caused him terrible injuries, having been bitten on both his arms and shoulder. He died less than 30 minutes after the attack.
Just a few weeks after the terrifying attack that led to Coughlan’s death, Mervyn Gannon, 21, was bathing in knee-deep water at Coogee beach when he was attacked by a great white shark.
A beach spectator warned the surfers who were there at the time, including Gannon, after seeing the fin of a shark heading towards their direction. Gannon, however, turned to face the shark instead of rushing to leave the water just like what others did.
Gannon’s right arm was torn off after attempting to punch the shark several times whilst his left arm was injured when he tried to ward off the shark. Shocked and bloodless on admission, Gannon died in hospital of gas gangrene.
Both attacks happened in broad daylight, with many people witnessing. These incidents were just two of the attacks that took place in Australia’s so-called “shark era” a century ago.
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Little Bay Beach Attack
On 16 February 2022, news broke out that a 35-year-old British man identified as Simon Nellist died after suffering from catastrophic injuries due to the shark’s attack.
The hunt is still on for the great white shark, believed to be a 4.5-m long creature. The tragedy occurred around 10 metres from shore at Buchan Point near Little Bay Beach.
The beach has been closed whilst police are investigating the incident and have reminded beachgoers to follow safety advice from Surf Life Saving NSW.
“Police will be liaising with the Department of Primary Industry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the swimmer. A report will be prepared for the Coroner,” NSW Police stated in a report.
Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in for Nellist, who was remembered as a ‘gentle’ and wonderful man.’ A vigil attended by locals took place at The Coast Chapel in Little Bay for him.
