Flung into sea and shark: kayaker in
A KAYAKER had to swim for his life when a shark sank its teeth into his craft, sending him flying into the water off the coast of Queensland today.
Kyle Roberts was hurled into the ocean by the 13ft tiger shark just over half a mile off Moffat Beach on Australia’s Sunshine Coast. The terrified fisherman managed to swim back to the kayak and clung to it desperately as the predator circled him.
He alerted rescuers on his radio and two lifesavers on jet skis sped out, with the shark still nearby. It eventually swam away.
Mr Roberts, 31, was treated for shock but not injured. He said: “I have had a very lucky day, that’s for sure.” It was the seventh major shark attack in Australian waters in eight weeks, prompting calls for tougher action, including culling.
David McLean, a duty officer with Surf Life Saving Queensland, said: “There was no blood in the water — nothing else to attract sharks. Just came out of the blue, completely broadsided him, and he’s very lucky to be here. He said the shark didn’t make any physical contact with him but did make a second lunge after biting his craft and it just missed him. When he swam back the shark was still holding on to his kayak, then let go, then did another lunge and that lunge missed him.”
While Mr Roberts was waiting for help “he was starting to panic, especially when the shark was starting to circle