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Large bull shark spotted near Swan Yacht Club, downstream from terrifying Blackwall Reach attack

The West Australian
VideoInterview with daughters of a man attacked by a bull shark in the Swan River.

A large bull shark has been spotted just 2.5km downstream from Blackwall Reach — the scene of a terrifying Swan River attack earlier this month.

The two-metre shark was spotted by a member of the public at 6.45am today.

It was sighted near the Swan Yacht Club in East Fremantle, just 10 metres offshore, according to Surf Life Saving WA.

Today’s sighting follows another one on Saturday — also a two-metre bull shark — near the Canning Bridge.

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Earlier this month, a three-metre bull shark attacked swimmer Cameron Wrathall during his morning swim at Blackwall Reach on January 14.

The 54-year-old became the first person to be attacked by a shark in the Swan River since 1968.

He sustained serious injuries to his upper leg and was forced to undergo two rounds of surgery before he was released from intensive care.

Mr Wrathall’s friend Richard O’Brien, who was swimming just metres away at the time of the attack, previously described the incident as “horrific”.

“I don't remember much about it other than hearing Cam and seeing the blood,” he said.

Cam “Wizard” Wrathall was attacked while on his morning swim.
Camera IconCam “Wizard” Wrathall was attacked while on his morning swim. Credit: Unknown/Facebook

Mr O’Brien said the shark came “out of the deep” before Mr Wrathall called out “shark.”

“Blood was everywhere. It just came from (beneath), bit him. It was trying to drag him but he’s a pretty quick swimmer.”

Despite patrols after the attack, authorities have not found the shark that almost killed Mr Wrathall.

Authorities remain unsure of exact numbers of bull sharks in the Swan River because they do not tag or track them.

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