MORE SHARK ATTACK IRONY - LIFE IMITATING ART

MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) -- An Australian woman has died after she was attacked by a shark while swimming with friends at an island near the city of Brisbane in Queensland state, police said Saturday.

The 21-year-old woman from Brisbane was at Amity Point, on North Stradbroke Island when she was attacked, losing both arms up to the elbow and also suffering a flesh wound to the leg.

"She was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital but has died as a result of her injuries," a Queensland Police spokeswoman told Reuters. She said no further details were available.

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PORKER FOLLOW-UP

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- Up to three sharks may have been involved in the fatal attack on a 21-year-old woman off an island in eastern Australia, police said Sunday.

The woman, whose identity was not immediately released, died late Saturday after being attacked near North Stradbroke Island, east of the Queensland state capital Brisbane.

Queensland state police inspector Peter Harding said officers were searching for the sharks and had closed several nearby beaches.

"If we found them, I suppose we would try to retrieve them and see if they have any body parts," Harding said. "The idea is to retrieve what we can."

The woman was swimming with friends from a church group in shallow water about 50 feet offshore when the shark attacked, local media reports stated. The woman's dog also was in the water.

The woman was airlifted to a Brisbane hospital where she had to have both arms amputated just below the elbow, according to Queensland Rescue Helicopter spokeswoman Helen Anderson. She also suffered deep wounds to her legs and torso, Anderson said.

Harding said the severity of the woman's injuries indicated she may have been attacked by a group of bull sharks, a species known for aggressive behavior this time of year.

"She was bleeding quite heavily," Harding said, adding that she heard "there was more than one shark involved. There could have been up to three."

ONCE AGAIN - YOUR FREAKISHLY IRONIC MOVIE QUOTE FEATURING A SHARK ATTACK AND A PLACE CALLED AMITY...

"I'm pleased and happy to repeat the news that we have in fact, caught and killed a large predator that supposedly injured some bathers. But as you see it's a beautiful day, the beaches are open and people are having a wonderful time. Amity as you know means friendship. "