Shark suspect in creek attack

7-year-old Mia Merlini of Mullumbimby with her bandaged legs after a suspected shark attack in Cudgen Creek at Kingscliff.

Blainey Woodham

MULLUMBIMBY’S Mia Merlini has bandages covering her gashed and punctured legs after a vicious attack by an unknown sea creature.

Seven-year-old Mia was swimming in Cudgen Creek, at Kingscliff, at 5pm Thursday afternoon when the creature, believed to be a small shark, began to bite and tear at her legs.

She was pulled from the water and taken to a doctor's surgery before being taken to the Tweed Hospital.

The scared little girl received 13 stiches in her left leg and six in her right leg.

Mia's mother Susan Germann said she was terrified when she received news her daughter may have been attacked by a shark.

“She felt something bitting at her legs and she began to scream, she was taken to the hospital and heavily anesthetised while they looked at her legs,” Ms Germann said.

“I was absolutely shaken when I heard what had happened. She was only waist deep in the water but I would definitely think twice before I let her go in the water there again.

“Mia was swimming with two other friends and it is a popular swimming spot. The coast guard said they had never heard of anyone being bitten there before.”

Ms Germann said her daughter was visiting her father in Kingscliff when she was attacked.

After hearing the news, Ms Germann dashed from her Mullumbimby home to be with her daughter at the Tweed Hospital.

Mia described the terrifying underwater attack as painful.

“I was swimming in the water and something started biting at my legs, it really hurt,” Mia said.

“It was scary but I don't know what it was, it might have been an eel.

“I've been swimming there before but nothing has ever bitten me. I have stiches in my leg now and I have to lie down and rest for the rest of the week.”

A shaken Ms Germann hopes no Tweed parents would have to live through the same nightmare and receive a phone call saying a shark had mauled their little girl.

“I want to warn other parents and other kids to be careful, so this does not happen to them,” Ms Germann said.

“You need to be careful of what's in the water.”

A spokesman from Industry & Investment New South Wales said the creature had not yet been identified.

“Shark experts are yet to inspect any evidence, or see photographs,” said the spokesman.

“However, based on initial information we have received this is most likely a fish, not a shark.

“To avoid sharks, don't swim when it's dark, avoid murky water, waters with known effluents or sewage and avoid areas with signs of baitfish or fish feeding activity.”