A tragic incident unfolded on the Great Barrier Reef when a 39-year-old man lost his life following a shark attack. The man was reportedly fishing at Kennedy Shoal, a shallow reef located approximately 50 kilometres off the coast of Tully in far north Queensland, between Cairns and Townsville.
Details of the Incident
Emergency services received a call around midday on Sunday, prompting a swift response. The man was transported back to the Hull River Heads boat ramp, near Tully, in a critical condition. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after being brought ashore.
Queensland police confirmed that a report will be prepared for the coroner following what they described as "the sudden and non-suspicious death of a 39-year-old man" in the Cassowary Coast area. A police spokesperson stated: "Emergency services were called to Hull River Heads boat ramp just before 12pm, following reports a man had been attacked by a shark while out at Kennedy Shoal. The man was retrieved from the water and died from his injuries."
Shark Attack Context
Shark attacks, while infrequent, have been recorded in reefs and shoals along the Queensland coast. In 2021, retired US Navy diver Rick Bettua survived a bull shark attack at Britomart Reef, approximately 30 kilometres south of Kennedy Shoal. The species of shark involved in Sunday's fatality remains unknown, though bull sharks and tiger sharks are common along the Great Barrier Reef. Great white sharks are also known to inhabit the reef but are less frequently seen in warmer waters.
This incident follows another fatal shark attack last weekend at Rottnest Island near Perth, where a 38-year-old man was attacked and could not be revived despite treatment at the scene.
Kennedy Shoal is a popular spot for recreational fishing and diving, and the area is known for its rich marine life. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
