Shark kills doctor on paddleboard in third attack off Queensland
A PADDLEBOARDER has been killed by a shark off Australia’s tropical northeast coast, the third attack in the tourist region in the past two months.
Daniel Christidis, 33, a medical researcher from Melbourne, was taking turns with a friend on a stand-up board when the shark attacked at 5.30pm on Monday at Cid Harbour, off Whitsunday Island in Queensland.
His friends, including two doctors, tried to save him but he died later in hospital on the mainland.
Ben Mccauley, an emergency services crew member, said Dr Christidis had been viciously mauled, describing the scene as “absolutely horrific”.
“He’d suffered very serious bites, significant blood loss as well as cardiac arrest,” he said.
“Definitely one of the more difficult [incidents] for everyone involved.”
Dr Christidis was on the first day of a five-day sailing holiday with nine friends on a chartered 40ft yacht. Most of the group had a medical background.
Steve O’connell, a Queensland police inspector, said: “Every solid effort was made to save his life… They [his friends] did everything imaginable.”
He added: “I’ve been in the Whitsunday area on and off for 30 years and, apart from some minor nips and bites here and there over that period of time, I’ve never heard of any substantial attacks such as what we’ve seen in these three attacks.”
Police have warned tourists and locals to avoid swimming in Cid Harbour.
Justine Barwick, who received a severe bite on her upper leg while snorkelling in the same area in September, said she was “devastated” by the latest attack.
“I feel devastated for the family and friends of this young man,” Ms Barwick said. “I know that he would have received the best of care available… and my heart goes out to all involved. This is a terrible tragedy.”
A day after the attack on Ms Barwick, a 12-year-old girl was bitten on the leg while swimming with her father and sister.
The attacks have prompted fresh debate about whether authorities should cull sharks or install drum lines – controversial traps using baited hooks.
Authorities culled six potentially dangerous sharks in the area after the September attacks and installed drum lines for a week. Critics say such measures do not necessarily prevent attacks but harm local marine life.
“Even with drum lines, we can’t get rid of all the risks associated with sharks in the Whitsundays,” said Kate Jones, Queensland’s tourism development minister.