Rottnest Island: Man killed in savage shark attack at Horseshoe Reef

A group of friends tried valiantly to save their mate after he was savaged by a four-metre shark off Rottnest Island yesterday.

The 38-year-old was spearfishing with four friends about 1km offshore at Horseshoe Reef — north-west of the island — when the predator, reported to be a great white, attacked.

He was only 20m from one of the two boats they’d taken out there when he was fatally bitten on his legs.

Frantic attempts were made to save the Perth northern suburbs’ man after his pals got him into a boat and called 000.

His mates performed CPR on the boat and then during the agonising 10-15 minute journey to Geordie Bay, where St John Ambulance paramedics were waiting along with an RAC rescue helicopter.

“The injuries are quite horrific, and with respect to the family, we won’t go any further today,” Sergeant Michael Wear, Officer in Charge of Rottnest Island Police Station, 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.”

“A police chopper air dropped an officer down to assist,” Sgt Wear said.

“Air wing rode over the top and they actually dropped an officer off from the chopper on shore to give us a hand.

“It was an all agencies’ effort to get everyone involved in the best way we could possibly do for the victim.”

7NEWS vision showed a huddle of paramedics trying to revive the victim on a wooden jetty at Geordie Bay.

A police officer on the boat could be seen comforting a man in a diving suit.

The victim’s friends have all returned to the mainland and his next of kin has been notified, Sgt Wear said.

He understood the group of men were experienced fishermen.

A report will now be prepared for the Coroner.

Police said the type of shark is unknown at this stage but the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development put out a media release saying it was a “reported 4.0m white shark”.

Police said they didn’t know if it had been lurking near Horseshoe Reef prior to the attack.

Emergency services were called just before 10am.

DPIRD said it was alerted to the shark attack at 10.03am.

“A DPIRD patrol vessel will be on the water monitoring the area,” a DPIRD spokesperson said after the attack.

Horseshoe Reef is north of Marjorie Bay, at the west of the island. It is a popular spot for diving and fishing, mostly known for the Mira Flores shipwreck.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said it was alerted to the shark attack at 10.03am.

“A DPIRD patrol vessel will be on the water monitoring the area,” a DPIRD spokesperson said earlier in the day.

Horseshoe Reef is north of Marjorie Bay, at the west of the island. It is a popular spot for diving and fishing, mostly known for the Mira Flores shipwreck.

WA Premier Roger Cook said news of the fatal shark attack was “deeply distressing.”

“This is a tragedy that will be felt by all Western Australians,” he said.

“My heartfelt condolences go out to the man’s family and friends.

“My thoughts are also with the first responders and witnesses.

“It is a devastating time for all involved.

“I would encourage anyone impacted by this tragedy to reach out for support.”

“I wouldn’t snorkel that far (out). How horrific, what a horrific way to go,” he told The Sunday Times. “Poor fellow.”

Mr Fraser said he was thinking of the man’s family.

“I’ve been surfing for over 50 years and I’ve seen a lot of sharks and I couldn’t think of anything worse, so I just walked here to pay my respects to him and his family,” he told Nine News.

Staff at the Geordie Bay General Store assumed the emergency response was for a child they sought assistance for after he fell off his bike.

Unbeknown to them, tragedy was unfolding a short distance away. Visitors to the island described the incident as “horrible” and some did not want to discuss what happened in front of their children.

A patron said despite being at the cafe, she hadn’t heard anything about a fatal shark attack. After being told, she decided to stay out of the water for the duration of her visit.

She was also surprised there had been no circulation of information across the island communicating news of the fatal attack.

Another couple only found out because someone in Perth called to ask if they were OK.

A couple that swim at Geordie Bay every day said they would avoid swimming for the foreseeable future.

The waters around Rottnest Island haven’t recorded a fatal shark attack for 15 years. In 2011, Texas man George Thomas Wainwright, 32, was attacked while diving.