Moments After Swimming With Dolphins, She Was Dead

A tragic shark attack on Australia’s east coast claimed the life of a young Swiss woman Thursday, after her boyfriend bravely tried—unsuccessfully—to save her.

Authorities say 25-year-old Livia Muhlheim and 26-year-old Lukas Schindler, both from Switzerland, were swimming near Kylies Beach in Crowdy Bay National Park when the attack occurred early in the morning. The pair had arrived at the remote campsite only the night before, campers told reporters. The beach has no lifeguard services.

According to local media, Muhlheim had been swimming with dolphins shortly beforehand, an experience captured on a GoPro camera. Moments later, she was attacked—believed to be by a bull shark measuring at least 10 feet—suffering multiple bites and losing her left arm.

Schindler, a trained diving instructor and former first lieutenant in the Swiss Armed Forces, immediately rushed to her aid. He attempted to fight off the shark by punching it and was bitten twice himself. Despite his injuries, he managed to bring Muhlheim back to shore and call for help, but she died on the beach from her wounds.

A bystander helped control Schindler’s bleeding by fashioning a tourniquet from her swimwear, according to paramedics. Schindler was later airlifted to a hospital.

Authorities are reviewing the GoPro footage but have not confirmed whether it captured the attack. Drones and drum lines have been deployed in an effort to locate the shark.