Shark Kills Spearfishing Diver Off Western Australia Island

A shark fatally attacked a 38-year-old diver off Rottnest Island near Australia's southwest coast on Saturday, Western Australia Police said. The man had been spearfishing with friends on a coral reef when the attack occurred, Sergeant Michael Wear said.

The victim was near a dive boat when he was bitten on the legs, and friends witnessed the incident, Wear said. The boat transported him about 1,100 yards to the island, where paramedics could not resuscitate him. Lifeguards had reported seeing a 16-foot white shark in the area before the attack.

Officials did not name the victim.

Family members identified him as Steven Mattaboni, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. Mattaboni's wife, Shirene, said the family's hearts are irrevocably broken. She described him as a devoted father to their two daughters, one turning three next month and the other four months old.

Cook called the attack deeply distressing in a social media post. He thanked first responders and emergency personnel for their efforts. The attack marks Australia's second fatal shark attack this year. The previous incident occurred in January when a 12-year-old boy died after being mauled by a bull shark in Sydney Harbor.

Rottnest Island's last fatal shark attack was in 2011. Australia has averaged more than three fatal shark attacks per year in recent decades.