A 40-year-old man died after being attacked by a shark on the edge of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, local police said.
Luke Wolford, a youth pastor, was spearfishing with his family when he was bitten Saturday afternoon.
Authorities said he suffered “life-threatening injuries” and, despite the efforts of paramedics, died at the scene about an hour later.
He and his family were in the water on Hampi Island, in Keppel Bay Islands National Park on the Great Barrier Reef, when the attack occurred. The area is a popular place for diving and snorkeling.
Walford was a priest and school pastor at the Cathedral Church of Praise in Rockhampton, Queensland.
Local MP Donna Kirkland said she was in shock, and that Walford was a friend of hers and “countless others”.
She added: “My prayers and heartfelt condolences are with his beautiful family, and indeed with many who will be as shocked as I am by this news.”
A family friend told ABC News that he saw the rescue helicopter flying over his house, not knowing it was his friend's.
“I always say a little hello to anyone, but knowing it was Luke was a very sad day,” Doug Weber said.
Queensland Police said a report would be prepared for the coroner.
The last fatal shark attack in Australia occurred in December 2023, when A boy was killed in the south.
This year alone, there have been four more shark incidents in Australia, according to a local database.
Overall, Australia experiences more shark attacks than any other country except the United States.
