Kingscliff shark attack: Surfer dead after shark attack in northern NSW

Mates of a Gold Coast surfer who was fatally mauled by a shark at Kingscliff in northern NSW fought off the 3m creature in a valiant attempt to save the man’s life.

Scene of a fatal shark attack which killed a surfer off Kingscliff beach in NSW on June 7, 2020

MATES of a Queensland surfer who was fatally mauled by a shark on Sunday fought off the 3m creature in a valiant attempt to save the man’s life.

The 60-year-old Tugun man, since identified as Rob Pedretti, was attacked by a 3m shark off Salt Beach at South Kingscliff just after 10am.

A shark filmed off the beach this morning. Picture: 9 News

Fellow board riders fought off the shark and helped the injured surfer to the beach where emergency service workers were unable to save his life.

One of the Tweed’s top cops praised the heroic actions to two surfers who risked their lives trying to save the man

Tweed Byron Police District Inspector Matthew Kehoe said a fellow surfer who was mates with the victim as well as another surfer unknown to the pair rushed to the rescue when they saw the Queensland man in distress.

“They fought off the shark,” Insp Kehoe said.

SLS advise fatal shark bite at KINGSCLIFF, Tweed at 10:41 am on 7 Jun 2020. SLS has closed beach for 24 hours.

— SharkSmart (@NSWSharkSmart) June 7, 2020

“They got him on one of the boards and tried to stabilise him and take him to shore.”

The shark followed, circled the three men and rammed one of their boards.

“The actions were absolutely outstanding, they did everything they could to save this guy,” Insp Kehoe said.

“They put themselves at significant personal risk and we will be recognising those two gentlemen at a later stage for their heroic actions.”

On Sunday, Insp Kehoe said the type of shark involved in the attack was yet to be confirmed.

Photos of the bite wounds and a shark still in the area were sent to NSW Fisheries and the Department of Primary Industry for identification.

Inspt Kehoe said he was not aware of any other recent shark attacks in Tweed’s history.

The beach was closed for 24 hours.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries had given police the authority to capture and destroy the shark responsible for the attack.

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Emergency services at the beach this morning. Picture: Carly Madsen

A Salt Surf Life Saver described scenes of locals lining the top of the beach in shock after a fatal shark attack in Kingscliff on Sunday.

SLS James Owen, who is also a Tweed Shire Councillor, said the incident happened about 1km north of the Salt club house where a 60-year-old man believed to be from Queensland suffered a bite to his leg.

“At the moment we are concentrating on making the beach safe,” he told the Bulletin.

The incident occurred this morning.

“It is so awful on so many levels and our hearts are with this man’s family and friends.

“Everyone is sensible enough to know sharks are all around and it could happen … but this area is not known for shark attacks.

“I think it’s going to take a while for the community to process and deal with it all.”

Surf Life Savers on jet skis were patrolling the beaches as well as drones in the air making sure no one else is in the water in the area as well as looking for shark activity.

“Everyone is doing as much as they can to keep the community calm and support this man’s family and friends,” Mr Owen said.