Teenage boy dies in shark attack while surfing at Wilsons Headland

Tributes are flowing in for the teenage boy who died in a shark attack while surfing on the NSW mid-north coast on Saturday. Mani Hart-Deville, 15, is being remembered as a “clever, artistic” boy who loved surfing and being in the ocean.

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A 15-year-old boy who loved surfing became the youngest fatal shark attack victim in NSW in 60 years when he was mauled while enjoying the waves on a mid north coast beach on Saturday.

Mani Hart-Deville was ­attacked as he surfed with his mates on a shortboard he’d made himself, at Wilsons Headland near Wooli Beach, just ­before 2.30pm.

Mani, from nearby Minnie Water, died on the sand from injuries to his legs after he was brought to shore, despite desperate efforts to revive him.

Mani Hart-Deville has left his small community in mourning following his shock death. Picture: Supplied

15-year-old Mani Hart-Deville died in a shark attack at Wilsons Headland, near Minnie Water. Picture: Supplied

Family friend Karen Armstrong said the entire community was grieving Mani’s loss.

“Mani will be remembered as a beautiful, smart, witty young man who lived life to the full,” Ms Armstrong said.

“Mani was a product of amazing parents. Our small, tight community are wrapping our arms around our young people to help them through this time in their young lives.”

Local surfers on Saturday night said they believed the shark was a great white that attacked from below and bit one of Mani’s legs.

The shark struck a second time, mauling the other leg and tearing a fin off the board. Nearby surfers tried to stop the bleeding in the water before getting him to shore.

A shark bite can be seen on the tail of the surfboard. Picture: TNV

Wooli Beach, near Grafton, where a 15-year-old boy has died in a shark attack. Picture: TNV

They performed first aid until the ambulance arrived.

Jake Trevillian, who has a daughter Mani’s age, des­cribed Mani as an individual who followed his own path.

“He grew up here. All the kids out here are pretty tight,” Mr Trevillian said.

“The world was his oyster. You could say that about a lot of kids, but he was really clever, artistic, not shy, and they all loved him.

“He loved making his own surfboard, not many other kids are like that. He was an individual and didn’t follow the path of everyone else, and one of those ones you could tell he was going to do ­something cool with his life.”

Mani Hart-Deville has been remembered as a “clever, artistic” boy who loved to surf. Picture: Supplied

The scene of the shark fatality tragedy. Picture: Frank Redward

Police took away Mani’s logo-less surfboard, which ­featured deep bite marks across the right tail, suggesting the teenager was laying, or paddling on his board when attacked.

The bite marks will be used by state government shark ­experts to determine the species of shark responsible. Great white sharks follow the whale migration north along the coast at this time of year.

People at the scene hug after the teen’s tragic death. Picture: TNV

Surfing along the Yuraygir Coast is the No.1 pastime of the small seaside village of Minnie Water and Mani was in the water as often as anyone, Mr Trevillian said.

“He loved being in the ocean,” he said.

“He was constantly surfing in the water. There’s a crew that surf more than anyone at the moment and he’s part of that.”

Friend Kyra Geerin posted a heartfelt tribute on Mani’s latest social media post.

“Hope heaven is good to you,” Kyra wrote.

“We will miss you more than you’ll ever know.”

The teenager’s surfboard will be examined. Picture: Frank Redward

Mr Trevillian said this was the first shark attack he was aware of at the nearby beaches.

The youngest NSW victim was Ken Murray, 13, who died while free-diving below Roseville Bridge in 1960.

Wooli resident Helen Dobra rushed to the beach to see the boy’s family and paramedics crowded around his body.

“It was a really traumatic scene, my heart’s still pumping, it’s going to be a real shock to our community,” Ms Dobra said.

“We have a very, very close community here in Minnie Water, so it’s quite tragic.

“Everyone knows the family, we’re all really close. It will hit the community really hard.”

Beaches in the area, including Wooli, Diggers Camp and Minnie Water, have been closed.

“Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District will be liaising with the Department of Primary Industry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. A report will be prepared for the Coroner,” NSW Police said in a statement.

Great white sharks are following the whale migration north along the NSW coast at this time of the year.

Originally published as Teenage boy dies in shark attack while surfing at Wilsons Headland