A 38-year-old man has died after a suspected great white shark attack near the popular tourist destination of Rottnest Island in Western Australia, according to local officials.
The attack happened around 9:55 a.m. Saturday, May 16, near Horseshoe Reef, a well-known area off the island’s Northwest coast. In a statement, St. John WA Ambulance said the man “was believed to have been bitten by a shark” while in the water.
“The man was conveyed by vessel to shore, where he was met by St. John WA paramedics. Sadly, the man was unable to be revived,” a spokesperson said.
Authorities believe the victim was attacked by a 13-foot great white shark. He was brought by boat to the Geordie Bay jetty, where paramedics performed CPR before he succumbed to his injuries, according to local reports. Witness Jarrad Young, who was visiting the island for a wedding, described the scene to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
“Everyone was watching on as they were doing CPR … it didn’t look too good in the end, which is unfortunate,” Young said.
Following the incident, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said patrol vessels would monitor the area and warned visitors to use extra caution around Horseshoe Reef and nearby Marjorie Bay.
