Qld: Victim in midst of shark feeding frenzy

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2004
Qld: Victim in midst of shark feeding frenzy

By Alex Murdoch

BRISBANE, Dec 12 AAP - A man killed by a shark on the Great Barrier Reef was spearfishing
amid a shark feeding frenzy, a crew sent to rescue him said today.

The 38-year-old from Clifton Beach, in far north Queensland, was with two friends at
Opal Reef, about 75km from Cairns, when the shark attacked about 1pm (AEST) yesterday.

He suffered massive leg wounds in the attack, and had a fatal cardiac arrest before
paramedics could reach him.

The man's wife and 10-year-old daughter have requested his name not be released.

Authorities are still unsure which breed of shark was responsible for the attack but
a tiger shark, bronze whaler or bull shark have been suggested as likely suspects.

Queensland Rescue Helicopter rescue pilot Spida Rider, who flew the man's body to the
mainland, said the area had been teeming with fish and sharks.

"It just surprises me that a shark would attack a person when there was so much food
around the area," he said.

Seaworld Marine Sciences director Trevor Long said the warm conditions, blood in the
water and vibrations of dying fish would have created ideal conditions for a shark attack.

But Mr Long said it was probably a case of mistaken identity, with humans definitely
not a shark's favourite prey.

"With spear fishing there's blood in the water, there's also a lot of vibrations in
the water from when the fish is first injured and killed," he said.

"Those sort of vibrations attract sharks in like a magnet."

Cairns police sergeant Ron Morris said the man's screams had attracted his friends' attention.

"They've made it over there ... and they've found him in the water, basically in a
cloud of blood," Senior Sergeant said.

Queensland Rescue Helicopter Service spokesman Steve Ackers was one of the first to
arrive on the scene, but was too late to save the man from his horrific injuries.

"(They) then dragged him onto the vessel and then proceeded to stem the bleeding but
obviously it didn't work," he told the ABC.

Paramedic Leon Oliveri said the man, who had suffered severe wounds to his upper left
leg, including a severed artery, was in cardiac arrest when they arrived.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today would not be drawn on the effect the attack
would have on Queensland's tourism market.

"I'm more concerned about the individual and his family to be perfectly honest," he
told journalists.

"I pass on the condolences of the government and all Queenslanders - no one wants to
see those sorts of tragedies happen, particularly to a young dad who's only 38."

According to the Australian Shark Attack file, kept by Sydney's Taronga Zoo, there
have been 188 fatal shark attacks in the past 200 years.

AAP am/cmc/sd

KEYWORD: SHARK NIGHTLEAD (WITH FACTBOX)

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.