Third fatal shark attack of 2023 occurs in New Caledonia

Updated 3.10.23

The third fatal shark attack of 2023 has occurred in New Caledonia.

Chris Davis, 59, was swimming in a cordoned swimming area off Royal Castle Feb. 19, when witness said he began struggling.

Fatal shark attack in New Caledonia caught on web camera

The father of three was near a swimming platform around 4 p.m. about 150 meters (164 yards) off the beach when a suspected tiger shark attacked. Video from the beach show bathers frantically exiting the water as the man appeared to fight the shark.

Web cameras show rescuers on jetski collect the man and take him to the beach. A bystander filmed the rescuers pull the man off the jetski as the administered first-aid and CPR. Unfortunately, the man succumbed to the injuries and was declared dead.

Witness describe seeing the man in a large pool of blood and video shows injuries to his leg and arms. It is possible the shark first grabbed his leg and his arms were injured as he attempted to fight off the shark.

Mayor Sonia Lagarde has banned swimming and nautical activities on seven beaches in the city and a campaign to capture tiger and bull sharks has been launched.

Drones spotted two suspected bull sharks in the area after the attack.

A 13-foot tiger shark (4m) was captured by authorities who believe the shark may have been responsible for the attack.

This is the second shark attack in the area this year.

A 49-year-old swimmer was seriously injured Jan. 29 in a shark attack. The unidentified woman was swimming around 10:30 a.m. a few hundred meters off the same beach when she was injured. She was around the swimming buoys when she was injured on the thigh, back, and both hands.

A paddleboarder heard her screams and came to her aid. She was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

A suspected bull shark was filmed by several people swimming in the area after the attack.

Five days later a foilboarder was attacked. Thankfully, the man was uninjured.