A 39-year-old man has died following a shark attack on the Great Barrier Reef, south of Cairns in far north Queensland. The incident occurred at Kennedy Shoal, a shallow reef approximately 50 kilometres off the coast of Tully, between Cairns and Townsville.
Details of the Incident
The man was reportedly fishing at Kennedy Shoal, a popular spot for recreational fishing and diving. Emergency services were alerted around midday on Sunday, and the victim was transported back to the Hull River Heads boat ramp near Tully in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries shortly after being brought ashore.
Police Report
Queensland police confirmed they will prepare a report 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. Police 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 History in the Region
Shark attacks are infrequent but have occurred along the Queensland coast. In 2021, retired US navy diver Rick Bettua survived a bull shark attack on Britomart Reef, about 30 kilometres south of Kennedy Shoal. The species involved in Sunday's fatality has not yet been identified. Bull sharks and tiger sharks are common in the Great Barrier Reef, while great white sharks are less frequent in warmer waters.
This incident follows another fatal shark attack last weekend at Rottnest Island near Perth, where a 38-year-old man died despite treatment at the scene.
