The family of a teenage boy, whose life was brutally cut short in a nightmare shark attack, have spoken of their unimaginable grief and paid a moving tribute to their 'wonderful' son.
Stella Berry, 15, was paddleboarding with friends near the Fremantle traffic bridge in the Swan River, Western Australia, on Saturday afternoon when the horror unfolded. Witnesses reported hearing the teenager's screams before she was pulled under the water in the vicious attack.
Despite the desperate efforts of members of the public and emergency services who rushed to the scene, the injuries she sustained were too severe. The young girl was pronounced dead a short time later, sending shockwaves through the local community and the nation.
In an emotional statement released through the police, her heartbroken family said: 'We are all in a state of complete shock and disbelief at the loss of our beloved Stella. She was a vibrant and loving girl who was enjoying the day with her friends. We will miss her forever.'
A Community in Mourning
The incident has left the city of Perth reeling. Authorities immediately closed popular sections of the river as fisheries patrol boats scoured the waters, eventually locating and killing a large bull shark suspected to be responsible for the attack.
This tragic event marks the first fatal shark attack in the Swan River for over 50 years, a grim reminder of the potential dangers that can lurk in Australian waters. The Premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan, expressed his condolences, stating his thoughts were with the girl's family and friends during this 'horrific and tragic time'.
The family has requested privacy as they attempt to navigate their profound loss, asking for the community to hold them in their thoughts.
