‘Incredible father’: Steven Mattaboni, 38, killed in great white shark attack off Rottnest Island

The spearfisherman who was killed by a great white shark off the WA coast has been remembered as an “incredible father” of two girls. Steven ‘Mattas’ Mattaboni, 38, was killed by a reportedly four or five-metre great white shark near Rottnest Island on Saturday. The father-of-two was with a group of friends when he was bitten on the lower leg. In a statement, his wife Shirene said the 38-year-old was a generous and loving father to their two daughters, aged two and four months. “Our hearts are irrevocably broken by the loss of Steven, known affectionately to his mates as ‘Mattas’,” she said per The West Australian. “An avid fisherman and spearfisherman, who lived and breathed the ocean, he was always in tune with the sea. “He was fiercely loyal, endlessly generous, and the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back. “The world has lost a truly one-of-a-kind gentleman, and our daughters have lost an incredible father far too soon.” The northern suburbs man was also a premiership player of the Kingsley Football Club. In a statement, the club said Mr Mattaboni was a “much loved friend to many within our club community”. “Mattas was one of the most genuine people you could meet,” the statement read. “He had a smile and presence that could light up a room, and he will be remembered fondly by all who had the privilege of knowing him “Our thoughts and love are with his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time, especially his wife Shirene and their two young daughters.” Images captured by news helicopters show the man’s friends consoling each other on the deck of a police boat, and officers try to comfort the men as well. “His friends have actually witnessed the horrific event,” officer in charge of Rottnest Island, Sergeant Michael Wear said. “The friends of the victim retrieved his body from the water, they gave him CPR on the way back in and came straight into the Geordie Bay jetty,” Sergeant Wear told reporters on Saturday. The group were experienced fishermen, the Sergeant said. The friends had taken two boats out for the day, and performed CPR on the 38-year-old as the boats raced back to the nearest jetty, where paramedics and a rescue helicopter were waiting. “(Police) air wing rode over the top and they actually dropped an officer off from the chopper on shore to give us a hand,” Sergeant Wear said. “It was an all agencies’ effort to get everyone involved in the best way we could possibly do for the victim.” The 38-year-old victim lived in Perth’s northern suburbs. The attack happened at 10am about one kilometre off the northwest tip of the hugely popular tourist island; which itself is 18km west of the WA coastline. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development says the great white shark was about four metres long, but Surf Life Saving WA say a five-metre great white was spotted in the same area later on Saturday. Sergeant Wear said the man was on the surface of the water spearfishing 20m from his boat about a kilometre offshore when the shark emerged. “The injuries are quite horrific, and with respect to the family, we won’t go any further today,” he said. “Obviously, a very confronting scene. Certainly quite horrific scenes for all involved and all the emergency services that were there did a fantastic job.” The RAC rescue helicopter was sent to the scene, but the injured man was unable to be revived by paramedics. Witness Jarrad Young was visiting Rottnest for a wedding. “It was really confronting, I think everyone was hoping he was OK but it didn’t look too good in the end, which is unfortunate,” he said. “Obviously it is a bit of a sad day, no one really wants to see that on the island. Everyone just wants to come and enjoy the beaches and the ocean.” The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has urged those on Rottnest Island to take extra care in the water. The attack has sent shockwaves through the community, with WA Premier Roger Cook among those reacting to the horror, which he described as “deeply distressing”. “It is a devastating time for all involved,” Mr Cook said. “This is a tragedy that will be felt by all Western Australians.”