Man killed in shark attack off Queensland coast

A 39-year-old man died after being attacked by a shark while spearfishing at Kennedy Shoal off the Queensland coast on Sunday. Police Inspector Elaine Burns said the victim was with three friends on a private boat when the attack occurred. He sustained a critical head injury and was retrieved from the water by one of the companions.

The group reached the boat ramp at Hull Heads around noon, where paramedics declared the man dead. An ambulance service statement said he had sustained injuries not compatible with life.

Location and circumstances Kennedy Shoal lies about 45 kilometers offshore from the Cassowary Coast between Cairns and Townsville. The shallow coral reef attracts recreational fishers and divers visiting the nearby 19th-century shipwreck Lady Bowen. Fishers had previously reported bull sharks in the area, though police said the species involved in Sunday's attack remains unknown.

Recent incidents The death is Australia's second fatal shark attack in just over a week. On May 16 a 38-year-old man was fatally mauled while spearfishing near Rottnest Island off Western Australia. Australia has recorded three shark fatalities so far in 2026.

The country averages more than three fatal shark attacks annually. " — Police Inspector Elaine Burns, May 24, 2026 (ABC News) Police are preparing a report for the coroner and described the death as sudden and non-suspicious. Support is being offered to the three surviving companions.