Bull Shark Attack Claims Life of Young Swimmer in Maria River

This incident involved multiple victims from the same family — one boy killed and his brother severely injured in a river 20 miles from the sea — with an act of documented heroism by their 22-year-old brother Stanley, who attempted to pull Edwin free and carried his body home; it was also recorded as the first shark attack in the history of that district.

On the afternoon of November 8, 1947, four brothers—Stanley (22), Edwin James (12), Rupert (13), and Charles (9)—were swimming in the Maria River near Port Macquarie, New South Wales, approximately 12 miles from the river mouth. The location was near their home, in what was considered a safe, familiar swimming area. Without warning, a shark—believed to be a bull shark—attacked the boys in the brackish river water. Rupert was struck first and managed to free himself from the initial grip through violent struggling. Edwin immediately moved to help his brother, but as he did, the shark turned on him with devastating force. The animal's jaws closed around Edwin's right leg, severing it completely at the knee. Stanley, the eldest brother, attempted to pull Edwin away from the shark, but the attack was already catastrophic. Edwin was brought to the riverbank where he died almost immediately from his injuries. Rupert, severely lacerated on both thighs and at the knee, ran approximately 600 yards to their home despite his injuries. Stanley then carried his deceased brother home and walked a mile to reach a telephone to call for help. The Hastings ambulance transported the injured Rupert and Edwin's body to Port Macquarie Hospital. Despite the severity of his wounds, Rupert survived and recovered from his injuries during hospitalization. Medical staff were initially uncertain whether Edwin's severed leg could be saved, but he died before such intervention was possible. This incident represented the first recorded shark attack in the district's history. The attack occurred in brackish river water far from the ocean, demonstrating the potential for bull sharks to inhabit inland waterways. Fishermen subsequently set traps in an attempt to capture the shark responsible.