A 38-year-old man has died after being attacked by a shark while spearfishing at Rottnest Island on Saturday morning. The incident occurred just before 10am at Horseshoe Reef, north of Marjorie Bay, on the western end of the popular holiday island.
Police Sergeant Michael Wear described the attack as 'horrific,' stating the victim was on the water's surface about 20 metres from his boat when he was bitten on the lower legs. The man was with three friends from Perth's northern suburbs who had travelled to Rottnest for the day to go spearfishing approximately one kilometre offshore.
The victim's friends retrieved his body from the water and performed CPR on the way back to Geordie Bay jetty. Paramedics and police continued CPR upon arrival, but the man could not be revived. Aerial footage showed first responders transporting his body up the stairs at the jetty and into an ambulance around 11:20am.
Witness Jarrad Young, visiting for a wedding, described the scene as 'confronting' and said a friend who had been diving with the victim looked distressed. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development reported that the man was bitten by a 4-metre shark and urged caution in the Horseshoe Reef and Marjorie Bay areas, with a patrol vessel monitoring the water.
WA Premier Roger Cook expressed his condolences, calling the attack 'deeply distressing' and a tragedy that will be felt by all Western Australians. Horseshoe Reef, located about one kilometre north of Rocky Bay, is a popular diving and fishing spot known for the Mira Flores shipwreck.
