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Bull shark spotted cruising Swan River near Narrows Bridge

Bryce LuffThe West Australian
VideoPerth dad Cameron Wrathall has spoken about how he was almost killed by a bull shark in the Swan River

Those thinking about taking a dip in the Swan have been warned after the same breed of shark which mauled a man in Perth’s southern suburbs earlier this year was spotted 50 metres offshore.

The 2.5m bull shark was sighted on the east side of the Narrows Bridge just before noon.

Surf Life Saving WA said the report had been made by a member of the public.

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The 2.5m bull shark was spotted near the Narrows bridge just before noon.
Camera IconThe 2.5m bull shark was spotted near the Narrows bridge just before noon. Credit: Google Maps

The sighting comes five months after the Swan River was shut to swimmers over two sightings of a 3m bull shark near Point Walter in Bicton.

The shark was spotted just 30m from the shoreline.

The February 19 sightings followed the mauling of Cameron Wrathall, who was swimming near Blackwall Reach on January 14 when he was attacked.

The 3m bull shark attacked him with such force it broke his hip and severed his sciatic nerve.

Cameron Wrathall after he was attacked by a shark in the Swan River.
Camera IconCameron Wrathall after he was attacked by a shark in the Swan River. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS
Cameron Wrathall survived being attacked by a bull shark in the Swan River.
Camera IconCameron Wrathall survived being attacked by a bull shark in the Swan River. Credit: 7NEWS/7NEWS

His heart stopped on the ambulance.

“The shark hit me really hard, it’s the biggest impact I’ve ever felt of something hitting me,” Mr Wrathall told 7News from his hospital bed.

“It was then trying to shake from side to side to tear part of me away. It all happened very quickly. I just did a kick on to part of it and a thrust down on my hands to push it off me and hit it pretty hard with the palms of my hands, and it went.”

In 2019 a baby bull shark was filmed swimming around popular Elizabeth Quay.

Wild West Charters’ Dave Macdonald used his phone to record the young shark as it cruised the Transperth Ferry Terminal.

The shark was seen lingering for up to 30 minutes, much to the delight of locals and visitors.

“It was swimming around right in the heart of Elizabeth Quay,” Mr Macdonald said.

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