Luke Walford killed after shark attack while fishing with family on Humpy Island

A 40-year-old school chaplain who died following a shark attack in Queensland waters has been remembered as an “inspirational leader”.

Luke Walford, 40, has died after a Humpy Island shark attackÂ

The man who died after being bitten on the neck by a shark in waters off the Keppel Islands has been identified.

Luke Walford, 40, succumbed to his severe injuries on Saturday evening after the incident while fishing with his family on Humpy Island.

Paramedics desperately worked to save Mr Walford’s life after he suffered neck wounds when he was bitten by a shark off Humpy Island in The Keppels area, about 20km off the mainland.

Mr Walford, a chaplain at Heights College, was remembered by friends online as a “gentle soul” who would be “sorely missed”.

“RIP Luke, such a tragedy,” Melissa Kelly wrote.

“Your love of children shone through. You were amazing with both of our sons during their school years, helping them through some tough times.

“I will be forever grateful for everything you did for them.”

“This is absolutely devastating news to wake up to,” Deanna Mortensen said.

“He was the loveliest, kindest and most God-loving man.

“Such a sad loss to our beautiful community.”

“He was honestly one of the kindest, most passionate and inspiring people I have ever known,” Kaitlyn Sorensen wrote.

“His impact on so many will never be erased.”

He joined the Pastoral Team at Cathedral of Praise in 2015, and became a Youth Pastor in 2022.

A man has died following a shark bite incident in waters off Humpy Island.

The incident occurred at 4.37pm Saturday.

Police confirmed the man tragically died from his injuries just before 6.00pm on the December 28.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said the 40-year-old man had been fishing with family members when he was bitten by a shark.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

The day after the fatal shark attack, Keppel Island is in full swing.

The sun is out, and hundreds of families are out swimming and diving.

To anybody unaware of the news, it would seem to be a normal day.

Humpy Island sits mere kilometres from the larger Great Keppel Island, which is host to luxury accommodation, bars and restaurants.

Tropical Vibes owner Shane Bonney said he was supportive of shark culling.

“I’ve been on this island for over 12 years now and I’ve been noticing there’s more and more sharks every day.”

“I’m a master 4 mariner, and we can’t even get our fish up because there’s so many sharks.”

“We used to be able to catch them for food... we need to start culling them.”

Locals have showed support for a shark cull in the area.

LNP Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland posted a tribute to Mr Walford on Facebook.
“Yesterday our community lost a wonderful man in tragic circumstances.”

“A family friend, not only to my own family but countless others. He was an inspirational leader as a children’s and youth pastor.

“We are all very much still in shock.

“My prayers and heartfelt condolences are with his beautiful family and indeed the many who will be devastated, as I am, at this news.”

On Saturday afternoon, a Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman confirmed paramedics were treating a man in his 40s with critical injuries following a shark attack.

The paramedics were flown to Humpy island camping area, which is in the Keppel Bay Islands National Park, via a helicopter.

This comes just weeks after a man in his 60s was bitten by a shark while spearfishing off Curtis Island on December 2.

Bystanders provided crucial first aid to help control the bleeding for the shark bite victim who suffered minor to moderate wounds to his forearms in the incident which occurred about 8.25am.

He was initially taken to Curtis Island where he was met by emergency services, before being brought into Gladstone with the assistance of a police boat.

According to the Australian Shark-Incident Database, there have been at least four other shark attacks in Australian waters so far this year including one off Mackay on October 30 and at Bargara Beach on March 12.

Luke Walford, 40, has died after a Humpy Island shark attackÂ

A 57-year-old woman suffered two 30cm bite wounds to her calf while snorkelling on a reef about 200km off Mackay’s coast.

It took more than eight hours to get her back to shore in an operation that involved the Australian navy.

First aid was immediately provided by bystanders on the boat she had been on, with others binding her leg with an emergency bandage to stop the bleeding.

The Anzac-class frigate HMAS Warramunga, which had been undertaking an exercise in waters off Mackay, was called to assist and rendezvoused with the woman about 9.30pm Wednesday. The medical team on board treated her before she was transferred.

And in March a girl, aged about 13, is believed to have puncture wounds to her abdomen and lower back in a suspected shark bite incident.

She was treated for minor wounds after being bitten by a shark while swimming near Nielsen Park Beach about 4pm.

Originally published as Luke Walford killed after shark attack while fishing with family on Humpy Island