A 40-year-old man has died after being attacked by a shark on the edge of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, local police said.
Youth pastor Luke Walford was bitten while spearfishing with his family on Saturday afternoon.
He suffered “life-threatening injuries” and despite the efforts of paramedics, he died at the scene about an hour later, authorities said.
He and his family were in the water off Humpy Island in Keppel Bay Islands National Park on the Great Barrier Reef when the attack occurred. The area is a popular spot for diving and snorkeling.
Walford was a school chaplain and pastor at the Cathedral of Praise church in Rockhampton, Queensland.
His local MP, Donna Kirkland, said she was shocked and that Wolford had been a friend to her and “countless others”.
“My prayers and heartfelt condolences are with his beautiful family and the many people who, like me, will be devastated by this news,” he added.
A family friend told ABC News that she saw a rescue helicopter flying over her house but did not know it was for her friend.
“I always pay a little tribute to anyone, but it was a very sad day to find out it was Luke,” Doug Weber said.
Queensland Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner.
Australia’s last fatal shark attack occurred in December 2023. Teenage boy murdered in South Korea.
There have been four more shark incidents in Australia this year alone, according to a local database.
In general, there are more shark attacks in Australia than in any other country except the United States.
