A woman has been killed by a shark as she swam with friends near the village of Tathra, off Australia’s south-east coast.

Christine Armstrong, 63, was attempting to swim the 6006 stretch between the wharf and beach near the village when she was attacked and dragged away by a currently unknown species of shark.

In a statement, Armstrong’s family said that she loved swimming and had previously been a trainer at the local volunteer lifeguard club, continuing:

“She will be sadly missed by all who loved her, especially by Rob, her husband of 44 years.”

Air and sea rescue teams are currently searching for Armstrong’s remains in surrounding waters.

There are fewer than two shark deaths off Australia coast each year.