A terrifying shark attack at one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations has left a 38-year-old man dead after he was reportedly bitten by a massive great white shark.
The horrifying incident happened around 9:55 a.m. Saturday near Horseshoe Reef off Rottnest Island, according to St. John WA Ambulance.
Officials said the man was swimming in the water when he was believed to have been attacked by a shark.
“A 38-year-old man was in the water at Horseshoe Reef when he was believed to have been bitten by a shark,” a spokesperson said.
The victim, whose identity has not yet been publicly released, was reportedly attacked by a 13-foot great white shark.
After the attack, the man was rushed by boat back to shore and taken to the Geordie Bay jetty on Rottnest Island, where paramedics desperately tried to save his life.
Emergency crews performed CPR, but the man could not be revived.
Footage obtained by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reportedly showed first responders loading the victim’s body into an ambulance roughly 90 minutes after the deadly attack.
Witnesses described the heartbreaking scene as horrified tourists watched paramedics fight to save the man.
“Everyone was watching on as they were doing CPR … it didn’t look too good in the end, which is unfortunate,” witness Jarrad Young told ABC. Young said he was visiting the island for a wedding when the attack happened.
Following the deadly encounter, authorities quickly warned visitors to use extreme caution around Horseshoe Reef and nearby Marjorie Bay.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said a patrol vessel was sent to monitor the waters where the shark attack occurred.
Meanwhile, Western Australia Police Force is preparing a report for the coroner as the investigation continues.
Rottnest Island is known around the world for its crystal-clear waters, beaches, and tourist attractions, making the shocking attack even more disturbing for visitors and locals alike.