Woman attacked by shark in Sydney harbour thanks 'heroic' neighbours

An Australian woman bitten by a shark while swimming near the iconic Sydney Opera House has thanked her "heroic" neighbours for their help in a statement issued from her hospital bed on Wednesday. Lauren O'Neill was swimming close to shore near her home in the harbourside suburb of Elizabeth Bay when she was attacked by a shark on Monday evening.

An Australian woman bitten by a shark while swimming near the iconic Sydney Opera House has thanked her "heroic" neighbours for their help in a statement issued from her hospital bed on Wednesday.

Lauren O'Neill was swimming close to shore near her home in the harbourside suburb of Elizabeth Bay when she was attacked by a shark on Monday evening. Her right leg was seriously injured and experts said the bite marks had the characteristics of a bull shark.

O'Neill, who had lengthy surgeries on Monday and Tuesday night and is expected to make a full recovery, thanked her neighbours for their assistance in a statement issued by St Vincent's Hospital. They rushed to the wharf after hearing calls for help on Monday evening. A vet among them helped stem the bleeding before paramedics arrived.

While shark sightings along Sydney's ocean-facing beaches are common, attacks, especially in its iconic harbour, are rare. In 2009, an Australian navy diver was attacked during anti-terrorism training in the harbour.