12/28/2023 Khai Cowley Ethel Beach South Australia *** Fatal ***

[alb]

RIPPED APART Surfer Khai Cowley, 15, mauled to death by shark as horrified dad watched from shore
The boy's devastated family and friends paid tribute to the talented surfer

A TEENAGE surfer's dad watched in horror as he was mauled to death by a shark at a popular beach in Australia.

Khai Cowley, 15, was named as the victim of yesterday's deadly attack near Ethel Beach in the Innes National Park.

Reports said another surfer pulled Khai out of the water after the predator ripped off his leg.

Emergency services rushed to the scene but he could not be saved.

A local told the Adelaide Advertiser: "The shark took his leg, and so another local guy ran out, jumped on his board and paddled out to help him.

"The shark was circling them as the guy pulled the boy out of the water. There was a lot of blood.

"He brought him to shore but I think it was too late by then."

The talented teen had been named the most outstanding grom (young surfer) performer by his local Seaview Road Board Riders surf club just weeks before his death.

Khai's heartbroken aunt Lauryn Barley has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the boy's family following the tragedy.

She said: "Our beloved Khai was suddenly taken from us by a white pointer while surfing at Ethel Wreck off the coast of Yorke Penisula.

"I’m here to try help raise funds for my sister, Kate and brother, Tim to cover the cost of the funeral service."

Surfing SA also paid tribute to Khai saying: “We are devastated to learn that a young, talented and dearly loved member of our surfing community was the surfer involved in the attack at Ethel Beach, and are absolutely shattered to hear that the incident was fatal."

The surf club MicroGroms Junior Boardriders said on social media: “It is with immense sadness that Microgroms Junior Surf Club remember Khai after his devastating passing.

“Khai was a member since 2016 and will be remembered as a good friend and talented surfer who was well respected and admired by all that knew him.”

A local fisherman said the huge sharks were a common sighting in the area, the Mail reports.

He said: "We've seen some pretty big bronzies in the area, but that's normal here.

"I went to take the boat out and the road to Ethel's was blocked by rangers.

"There's no cell reception out there in the park so we didn't know what had happened until we got back to Marion Bay."

In May, Simon Baccanello, 46, was killed by a shark white surfing near Ellison on the west coast

The local teacher's surfboard later surfaced with huge bite marks after being dragged by the beast underwater.

And in November, 55-year-old surfer Tod Gendle was mauled to death by a 13ft Great White south of Streaky Bay.

Only a week later, Bridgette O'Shannessy, 32, was viciously attacked while swimming off south of Adelaide.


https://www.the-sun.com