A youth pastor was killed in a shark attack while spearfishing in the waters of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Luke Walford, 40, a chaplain at the Cathedral of Praise Church in central Queensland, was fishing with his family members on Saturday when a shark attacked him, Queensland police said.
He succumbed to his injuries at the scene just before 6pm local time despite repeated attempts by paramedics to revive him.
A rescue helicopter was called to the Humpy Island camping area in the Keppel Bay Islands National Park, about 18km off the mainland, after the pastor was attacked at around 4.30pm local time, the police said.
A Queensland ambulance spokesperson told AFP Walford suffered a “life-threatening wound to his neck” following the shark attack.
Family friend Doug Webber said he watched the rescue helicopter fly over his house towards the island.
“I always say a little tribute for whoever it may be, but to find out it was Luke was a very sad day,” he told state broadcaster ABC.
Walford’s church paid tribute in a Facebook post saying “he was attacked by a shark while doing something he loved – spearfishing, a passion that was passed down to him by his father”.
“He was truly a beloved figure, especially among our young people, children, and the entire congregation. Our prayers are with Luke’s family, especially his wife, his mother, and all his relatives.”
Local MP Donna Kirkland expressed shock and said Walford was a friend to her and “countless others”.
“My prayers and heartfelt condolences are with his beautiful family and indeed the many who will be devastated, as I am, at this news,” she said.
This was the second shark attack in central Queensland in December. A man was rushed to hospital after he was attacked by a shark off Curtis Island earlier in the month.
Last month, a new study showed a new light system developed by Australian scientists to mimic ocean camouflage could deter Great White Shark attacks. Marine predators like sharks locate prey by looking for silhouettes illuminated by sunlight from above.
Such silhouettes from surfers when seen from below may confuse hunters like the Great White Shark, which may mistake them for seals or other prey.
