A surfer in waters off the coast of Western Australia was killed by a shark Monday, and authorities have not yet been able to recover his body.
The surfer was in the water near Wharton Beach in Condingup, Australia, when he was attacked shortly after noon local time, the Western Australia Police Force said on social media. Only a surfboard with bite marks was recovered.
The police did not name the surfer or specify the type of shark thought to be involved. The deceased has been identified publicly by his family as New Zealand native and Melbourne, Australia, resident Steven Payne, 37.
“Steve was one of the best. A gentle giant … he was smart, kind, funny, laid back, and very practical,” his family said, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. They said “he and his partner spent a lot of time in the ocean together, had enjoyed many dives with sharks, and knew the risks,” and would not want a shark cull or even for the shark involved to be killed.
Mr. Payne was on a six-month trip around Australia with his dog and his girlfriend, who witnessed the fatal attack, according to Surfer magazine.
“She’s distraught, her life was turned upside down yesterday. You can imagine how she is, it’s just horrible,” WAPF Senior Sgt. Christopher Taylor said, according to Nine News.
Wharton Beach, which had closed in the aftermath of the incident, was reopened Wednesday, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
