A 63-year-old man died following a fatal shark attack off Sorrento Beach in Perth’s north, prompting Western Australian authorities to issue a rare catch-and-kill order for the animal. Emergency services responded to the popular coastal area after receiving reports of the incident, which occurred while the victim was swimming alongside a companion.
Fatal Attack Shatters Morning Calm at Sorrento Beach
The tragedy unfolded rapidly on a Friday morning at approximately 10:30 a.m., stunning beachgoers and local residents.
Fisheries Minister Issues Rare Destruction Order
Western Australia fisheries minister Jackie Jarvis authorized fisheries officers to destroy the shark if captured, according to a public statement released following the incident.
“Given the shark had been positively identified, remained in the vicinity following a fatal attack and was considered to pose an ongoing threat, I authorised fisheries officers to destroy the shark if captured,” Jarvis stated on social media.
Emergency Crews Scour Coastal Zone as Beaches Close
Emergency services, including water and air personnel, deployed assets for an extensive search of the coastal zone. Water police requested that the animal be captured if possible to assist with the recovery of potential coronial evidence. Local authorities kept nearby beaches closed and urged the public to stay out of the water until officials declare the area safe.
Witnesses Describe Shocking Aftermath and Grief
Witness Jacqui Rapaic told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that she and a friend were walking along the shoreline when they spotted the aftermath in the water.
“My friend said, ‘Jac, I think there’s been a shark attack,’ and I looked out to the ocean and I could see a pool of blood,” Rapaic said.
Another witness, Darrel Haythornthwaite, spoke to 7News about the victim’s companion, who managed to swim back to shore safely. According to Haythornthwaite, the surviving swimmer was inconsolable and blamed himself for not being able to intervene.
Local state MP Liam Staltari released a statement extending condolences to the victim’s family and friends. “Like all locals and people from across WA, I’m deeply saddened by the tragic death of a man following today’s shark attack at Sorrento beach,” Staltari said.
Mid-West Attack Precedes Northern Perth Tragedy
The fatality at Sorrento Beach follows a separate shark incident earlier in the week. On Monday, a surfer sustained serious injuries during an attack at the remote Glenfield beach, located north of Geraldton on Western Australia’s mid-west coast. Emergency responders transported that victim to the Geraldton health campus, where medical staff listed him in a stable condition, according to wire service reporting from the Australian Associated Press (AAP).
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