An Australian surfer perished after being mauled in a white shark attack.
Mark Sanguinetti, 59, and three friends were visiting Tuncurry Beach May 18 on the New South Wales mid-north coast.
The three surfing buddies were enjoying the waves near the breakwall when Sanguinetti spotted an estimated 15-foot (4.5m) white shark.
Sanguinetti yelled warnings to his friends and other surfers just before the shark attacked him a few minutes after 11 a.m. According to a witness, the shark struck Sanguinetti’s right thigh and then hit again about 5 seconds later..
His friends, bystanders, and other surfers quickly jumped into action and rushed to aid the father of two.
They were able to pull him out of the water and onto the beach where a retired paramedic began CPR. Police and paramedics responded to the area around 11:20 a.m., but the injuries were too severe.
Photos of the injury were sent to the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and analyzed by shark scientists. Based on the wound pattern they concluded a 14.8 foot (4.5m) great white shark was most likely the species involved.
The DPI has also advised beachgoers and water users to download the SharkSmart app or follow the NSW SharkSmart Twitter feed for information on shark movements. The Dorsal app, which allows users to report shark sightings is also available.
As a precaution, Surf lifesaving closed beaches from One Mile beach to Black Head Beach for 24 hours. Four sharks were tagged and released in the area after the incident, and none were thought to have been involved in the attack.
“…we all knew him as a legend with a heart as deep as the ocean, which was his first of many loves,” his daughters Bella and Jemima said in a statement. “Dad was a truly special soul. A kind, generous, thoughtful man, friend, and father.
“He saw the light within everyone and every situation. He’s home now in the ocean and in our hearts and he’ll be riding the waves of life with us forever.”
A paddle out at Palm Beach to honor Sanguinetti is planned at 4:30 p.m. May 24.
The approximate location has been marked on the 2021 Shark Attack Map.
