Surfer dies in Tubarão attack in Australia: a lot of blood, says police

Rescue teams were fired after the attack, but only found the Payne board floating in the water with marks of bites. A drone captured images from the area shortly after the incident, showing “a lot of blood and the shark,” according to local police sergeant, said in an interview with the British newspaper The Guardian.

Joscelin Boissieux, one of the witnesses, told 9News that he heard shouts and saw everyone out of the water. Authorities claim that the search is now for recovery, not for rescue.

There was only one board floating about 30 meters from the beach. The surrounding water was dark, with a shark fin circulating
Joscelin Boissieux

Another swimmer described the scene as “of disbelief.” “Many people on the beach just looked paralyzed,” said Tony Carmichael.

History of attacks in the region

Wharton Beach, located in the Goldfields-Osperance region, has recorded three fatal tubar attacks since 2017. The President of the Esperance Municipal Council, Ron Chambers, asked the bathers to remain vigilant.