A great white shark attacked a man who was spearfishing off the coast of Western Australia on Saturday, and he died from injuries to his legs.
The 38-year-old victim, whom authorities have not publicly named, was with friends less than a mile from shore at around 10 a.m.
He was in the water 65 feet from his group’s boat when the shark attacked him and bit the lower part of both of his legs, according to 9News.
“His friends have actually witnessed the horrific event,” Rottnest Island Police Sgt. Michael Wear told the TV station.
The victim’s friends got him onto the boat and rushed him to shore for treatment, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
The death marks the second fatal shark attack in Australia this year. In January, 12-year-old Nico Antic died from his wounds a week after being attacked by a bull shark on the other side of Australia near Sydney, according to the BBC.
Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said the great white shark in Saturday’s attack was roughly 13 feet long, according to the Australian station.
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook said in a statement on social media, “It is deeply distressing to hear news of a fatal shark attack off Rottnest today. This is a tragedy that will be felt by all Western Australians. My heartfelt condolences go out to the man’s family and friends.”
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