Second shark mauling: Girl, 12, fighting for life

A CHILD is fighting for her life after a shock shark attack almost identical to the mauling that nearly claimed the life of a Tasmanian tourist off the coast of Mackay one day earlier.

Authorities yesterday swooped on the Whitsundays to try to prevent any further attacks at Cid Harbour, with baits deployed to save swimmers and kill predatory sharks in the area.

Shark experts are investigating what species the predators were with locals speculating it was tiger sharks.

Justine Barwick, 46, (pictured) was flown from Mackay Base Hospital last night to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital where specialist doctors, including vascular surgeons, will attempt to save her life.

Shock at the attack on the mother-of-two off Whitsun- day Island on Wednesday turned to horror yesterday afternoon with a second mauling less than a day later of a 12-year-old girl in the same harbour.

The girl, believed to be on holiday from New Zealand, was with her sister and father when terror struck about 1.45pm.

The girl suffered massive blood loss after being bit on the leg just below the groin.

RACQ Central Queensland Rescue medicos described the child’s injuries as “absolutely horrific”.