Sharks caught, killed after Queensland attacks

Three tiger sharks have been killed by the Queensland government after life-threatening attacks on a woman and a girl, but officials say it is impossible to know if they caused the bites.

Hannah Papps (12) was bitten on her right leg while swimming in Cid Harbour with her father and sister on Thursday, less than 24 hours after Tasmanian Justine Barwick (46) was bitten on her left thigh while snorkelling in the same area.

Hannah was earlier reported by some media as being from New Zealand; however, in a statement yesterday the RACQ CQ Rescue Helicopter Service advised she was from Melbourne.

Baited hooks dropped into Sawmill Bay by Fisheries Queensland officials on Friday have since caught a two-metre tiger shark, a 2.6-metre tiger shark and a 3.3-metre tiger shark.

The state government insists killing the sharks is in the interest of public safety, even though it unclear whether they were behind the attacks.

The sharks were to be cut open and measured before being dumped at sea.

Both victims remain in hospitals in Brisbane.

Ms Barwick was last known to be in intensive care after 18 hours of reconstructive surgery to her injured right leg.

Meanwhile, the family of Hannah Papps have expressed gratitude for the quick actions of those involved in her rescue.

"We would like to thank everyone who has helped and cared for Hannah, including the police, emergency services and the hospital teams," the girl's family said in a statement on Friday.

"We ask that everyone, including the media, please respect our family's privacy during this very difficult time so we can focus our energies on Hannah's recovery."

 

 

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