Tragedy struck yesterday afternoon as news came in reporting the death of 19 year old surfer Zac Young, after a horrific shark attack claimed the man’s life on the mid north coast of New South Wales, near Coffs Harbour.
Surfing with friends yesterday afternoon at a reef break known as The Well, a noted spot for various breeds of sharks, Zac Young’s legs were severely bitten by a shark before he was pulled to shore by his friends. Young later suffered a fatal, traumatic cardiac arrest after resuscitation attempts.
Today, beaches in the surrounding areas remain closed while police continue their search for the shark that attacked Zac Young, at present – to no avail. A shark biologist is also being involved in the search to help identify the breed of shark responsible for Young’s death. Tragically, yesterday’s news closely follows a similar death of Chris Boyd who was mauled by a shark last Saturday 23 November while surfing in Gracetown, WA.
The two incidents in quick succession firmly cement Australia’s status as the lead country in fatalities resulting from unprovoked shark attacks, though the USA leads in the number of overall attacks, fatal or otherwise, by sharks.
In a cruel twist, today also marks Tracy Jordan’s favourite week on the Discovery Channel, Shark Week.
Via ABC, SMH.
Title image by Ian Waldie via Getty.
