Emergency services were called to Coogee Beach in the east of Sydney, Australia’s largest city, in the morning on reports that the 35-year-old had been bitten by a large shark about 30 metres (100 feet) from the shore.

“The woman was pulled from the water by members of the public, who commenced first aid,” police said in a statement, adding that the victim suffered serious arm and leg injuries.

The victim was taken to a rugby field near the beach, from where she was flown by helicopter to a hospital.

“She has large flesh wounds to the leg and the arms that are going to require ⁠a lot of surgery,” New South Wales Ambulance Inspector Mike Corlis told reporters at Coogee Beach.