A terrifying shark attack has claimed the life of a Victorian surfer at a remote beach in Western Australia.
Steven Payne, 37, from Melbourne, was surfing at Wharton Beach near Esperance when he was fatally mauled by a shark in front of his partner.
A Dream Holiday Turns into a Nightmare
Payne was just weeks into a six-month travelling holiday with his partner and their dog when the tragic incident occurred.
The couple had been exploring the beautiful coastline of Western Australia, but their adventure was cut short in the most shocking way.
The Attack: What We Know
According to witnesses, Payne was surfing in chest-deep water about 50m from the shore when he was attacked.
There were at least two other surfers in the water at the time, but they were unable to help him. The shark attack was so brutal that it left behind a trail of blood and debris, which was captured on drone footage.
The Search Efforts
A major search operation was launched immediately after the attack, involving police, marine rescue, and SES personnel.
Unfortunately, the search has not recovered Payne’s body, and authorities have confirmed that the search is now a recovery effort, not a rescue.
A Community in Mourning
The community of Esperance is in shock and mourning the loss of Payne.
Senior Sergeant Chris Taylor said that the community feels the pain of the family, but “not as much as the family, they’re distraught and trying to come to terms with what happened yesterday.”
Payne’s partner is said to be “distraught” and his family is planning to fly to Western Australia.
A History of Shark Attacks in the Region
The attack is one of several shark-related fatalities in the region since 2017.
There have been several incidents in the area, including the death of a 17-year-old schoolgirl who was killed by a great white shark while surfing with her father.
Just months later, an experienced scuba diver was taken by a shark, and in 2022, a Perth woman was attacked and seriously injured by a great white shark.
Calls for Action
The Esperance Ocean Safety and Support Group has called for action to be taken to prevent further shark attacks in the region.
The group’s founder, Mitch Capelli, said that it’s devastating to see history repeating and that fisheries should have deployed smart drumlines straight after the attack.
The Investigation Continues
The investigation into the attack is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the species of shark involved.
Payne’s surfboard, which sustained bite marks, is being stored by police and will be handed over to DPIRD for testing.
The search for Payne’s body may be called off as early as this afternoon, depending on the outcome of the investigation.