Aussie Strength
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read moreA woman has suffered serious injuries after being struck and injured while swimming with humpback whales off the coast of Western Australia.
The 29-year-old woman was part of tour group snorkelling at the popular Ningaloo Reef on Saturday when she was struck.
Unconfirmed reports said she become trapped between two of the giant mammals, which can grow up to 19 metres, suffering fractured ribs and internal bleeding.
St John Ambulance said the woman had suffered internal bleeding and upper torso injuries "from the crush".
She was treated in the town of Exmouth before being flown to a hospital in Perth, where, as of today, she was in a "serious but stable condition".
Western Australia Police advised that other guests on the snorkelling tour – which had only been a few hundred metres from the shore when the incident happened - witnessed the incident but were uninjured.
A Western Australia Police spokesperson said work safety regulators were investigating the incident, as it had involved a charter group.
Chartered swimming with humpback whales is currently undergoing a five-year trial in the region, monitored by the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
15 tour operators have been licensed to take groups of nine swimming with the whales, with guidance in place advising the swimmers to stay at least 15 metres from the animals.
The Department said in a statement it was "working closely with the industry and the tour operator involved to understand how the incident occurred", and that swimming with humpback whales involved "some inherent risk".
It noted that nearly 10,000 participants had swum with humpback whales since the trial began in 2016, with no previous incidents resulting in serious injuries.
Image: Humpback whales at Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef.
10th July 2020 - Western Australian Parks and Wildlife Service manager demoted over African hunting images
21st June 2020 - Australia’s Golden Outback promotes 21 Epic Road Trips across Western Australia
6th June 2020 - Easing of Western Australia’s Coronavirus restrictions sees Premier tell people to get out and do what they enjoy
11th December 2019 - Andrew Forrest plans to convert pristine Ningaloo Reef site into multi-million dollar resort
23rd May 2019 - Ningaloo Whale Sharks inspire Festival and Conference
30th January 2019 - Research shows industrialisation will threaten the survival of Ningaloo humpback whales
8th September 2016 - Researchers call for tighter controls on Ningaloo Reef manta ray experiences
4th July 2011 - Western Australian Government welcomes Ningaloo Coast’s World Heritage listing
16th May 2018 - Rising humpback population prompts early start for whale-watching season
18th August 2016 - Swimming with humpbacks begins at Ningaloo Reef
8th December 2015 - Sal Salis given license to swim with humpbacks at Ningaloo Reef
29th May 2017 - Whales gathering at Head of Bight for Australian calving season
3rd November 2015 - Swimming with humpback whales to be trialled at Ningaloo Marine Park
26th September 2014 - NSW whale watching operator critical of whale swimming experiences
27th June 2014 - New marine experience offers chance to swim with Humpback Whales
7th September 2013 - Sightseeing boats endanger whales
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Commercial gym equipment supplier Aussie Strength was wound up at the end of 2022. .aussie p { padding:20px; }
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