Man dies after shark bite off Western Australia coast


SYDNEY, May 16 (Reuters) - ⁠A man attacked by a shark off ⁠Western Australia's coast on Saturday died of his ‌injuries, police said, in what is the second fatal shark attack in Australia so far this year.

The 38-year-old victim, ​yet to be identified, was bitten ⁠on Saturday morning ⁠at Horseshoe Reef near Rottnest Island, about 31 km (19.2 ⁠miles) ‌west of state capital Perth, police said in a statement.

The man was taken ⁠to shore but could not be revived, ​police said, adding ‌that a report would be prepared for ⁠the coroner.

State ​authorities advised people to take extra caution in the water at Rottnest Island, a popular tourist destination.

Aerial ⁠footage from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation ​showed a police boat, police officers, and a rescue helicopter with a stretcher at the scene.

The attack ⁠follows the death in January of a boy bitten by a shark in Sydney Harbour, after a series of shark attacks along the country's ​east coast.

Most shark attacks occur ⁠along the east and southeast seaboard of Australia, which ​averages around 20 such incidents ‌a year, according to Australia's ​Institute of Health and Welfare.

(Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Others Also Read