Man dies after shark attack at Great Barrier Reef near Cairns

A man died after a shark attack on the Great Barrier Reef south of Cairns.

The 39-year-old had been fishing at Kennedy Shoal, a shallow reef about 50 km off the Queensland coast between Cairns and Townsville. The area is popular for recreational fishing and diving.

Emergency services were called about midday on Sunday. The man was taken back to the Hull River Heads boat ramp near Tully in critical condition. He died from his injuries soon after reaching shore.

Queensland police said they would prepare a report for the coroner following the sudden and non-suspicious death of a 39-year-old man in the Cassowary Coast area.

“Emergency services were called to Hull River Heads boat ramp just before 12 pm, following reports a man had been attacked by a shark while out at Kennedy Shoal,” police said. “The man was retrieved from the water and died from his injuries.”

Shark attacks are infrequent but have occurred in reefs and shoals along the Queensland coast. In 2021, retired US navy diver Rick Bettua survived an attack by a bull shark on Britomart Reef, about 30 km south of Kennedy Shoal.

It was not yet known what type of shark was involved in Sunday’s fatality. Bull sharks and tiger sharks are known to be prevalent along the Great Barrier Reef. Great white sharks also inhabit the reef, though they are less common in warmer waters.