A man who tragically died after being attacked by a shark has been identified as a beloved youth pastor.
Luke Walford, 40, was spearfishing with family and friends at Humpy Island in the Keppel Bay Islands National Park, about 18 kilometers off the central Queensland coast, when he was attacked about 4.30am. Saturday pm.
A critical medical team, including a doctor, rushed to the scene and discovered Walford had suffered “significant” injuries to his neck, a Queensland Ambulance Service spokesperson said.
Despite first responders’ best efforts to revive him, Walford was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 6 p.m.
Walford worked as a children and youth pastor for Cathedral of Praise and Heights College in Rockhampton.
He was honored as Rockhampton Young Citizen of the Year in 2010 for his work with children in local schools and the Salvation Army.
A friend of Mr Walford took to social media to honor him as “a truly gentle soul, you won’t meet a single person who has anything negative to say about him.”
State MP for Keppel Nigel Hutton said the community was sending their “thoughts and prayers” to his family.
A man tragically killed by a shark in front of his family and friends has been identified as youth pastor Luke Walford, 40 (pictured).
Mr Walford was
This latest attack is the worst in a series of other shark attacks that have taken place in recent months.
A man in his 60s who was bitten by a shark while spearfishing off Curtis Island at 8:25 a.m. on December 2.
The man suffered minor to moderate injuries to his forearms and bystanders gave him first aid to quell the bleeding while paramedics arrived.
Another 57-year-old woman was attacked while snorkelling at a reef about 200 kilometers off the coast of Mackay at 4.30pm on October 30.
He suffered two 30cm bites on his calf and it took him more than eight hours to return to shore.
Bystanders again provided first aid to the woman and the Australian Navy helped bring her back to the mainland.
More to come.