Melbourne man dies after shark attack in Whitsundays
THE family of Melbourne doctor Daniel Christidis, who died after a shark attacked him in the Whitsundays, have remembered a “great surgeon, son, brother and friend who dedicated his life to helping others”.
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LATEST: THE family and friends of Melbourne doctor Daniel Christidis have remembered his “passionate and loving nature” and as a “champion” who loved life.
The 33-year-old urologist died after a shark attacked him in Cid Harbour, off the coast of Whitsunday Island, on Monday.
“Daniel was a great surgeon, son, brother and friend, who dedicated his life to helping others,” the Christidis family said in a statement.
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“He illuminated the room with his charisma and deep empathy for his patients and others.”
The heartbroken family expressed their deep grief and their gratitude for the young doctor’s life.
“Words cannot describe how our family and the community have been impacted by this tragic loss,” the family statement read.
“His passionate and loving nature will leave an everlasting mark on this world.”
Dr Christidis was a research fellow at Austin Health where he made an impression on everyone he encountered.
Heidelberg hairdresser Rohan Dissanayake, 64, was at the hospital for a surgery when he met Dr Christidis five years ago.
Noticing his young doctor’s height, he sparked up a conversation about netball.
The two became fast friends and Dr Christidis was quickly signed up to play in the ‘Cappuccinos’ — Mr Dissanayake’s mixed netball team.
“He was a very good friend and very witty,” Mr Dissanayake.
“He was my champion.
“He was full of life — he loved life.”
Mr Dissanayake said the perfect example of the young doctor’s spirit, dedication and humour was the week it was his job to wash the netball bibs.
“He came dashing down with the whistle just about to blow, with the whole basket of his washing and he said ‘oh my god, I didn’t have time to separate the bibs from my washing’,” Mr Dissanayake said.
“Then he put the basket on the netball court and all of us had to pick out our bibs from his socks and shirts. He was laughing so much.”
MATES HAD JUST STARTED WHITSUNDAYS SAILING TRIP
Dr Christidis and a group friends had just started a five-day sailing trip around the Whitsundays when the devastating accident occurred earlier this week.
The group had anchored in popular Cid Harbour on Monday evening when Dr Christidis and a friend began taking turns on a stand-up paddleboard.
At about 5.30pm, after Dr Christidis hopped off the paddleboard and into the water and was bitten on both legs.
He also suffered wounds to a wrist, according to Queensland police.
Two doctors in the group immediately began trying to resuscitate their friend while they waited for emergency services.
He was flown to the Mackay Base Hospital but died a short time later.
The species of shark was yet to be determined.
“Daniel was my cousin and was an exceptional gentleman,” Helen Stergiou said.
“He had a heart of gold and was a good soul. We are in disbelief. Daniel was always there to help others.”
Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy said: “His death is a tragedy — and a profound loss for those who loved him and health and medicine in Victoria.”
Police say friends and medically trained colleagues aboard the yacht desperately tried to save Dr Christidis, and were “extremely distraught”.
“Despite their best efforts, the injuries were too severe,” Whitsundays Patrol Inspector Steve O’Connell said.
Just weeks ago in the same waters, two tourists were attacked within 24 hours.
Dr Christidis and a group of about 10 friends had embarked on a five-day sailing trip around the Whitsundays.
Police say at least two doctors were among the group of “very good friends” who had chartered the 12m yacht, without a skipper or crew, at Airlie Beach earlier that day. They anchored in popular Cid Harbour, where they planned to spend the night.
Dr Christidis and a female friend began taking turns using a stand-up paddle board.
Police said that, about 5.30pm, after Dr Christidis hopped off the paddleboard and into the water, he was bitten on both legs. He also suffered wounds to a wrist.
The species of shark was yet to be determined.
Two doctors aboard immediately began trying to resuscitate their friend. Insp O’Connell said they continued with CPR “for a very long time”.
“By the time a helicopter arrived on the scene the man had lost a substantial amount of blood and had commenced cardiac arrest,” he said. “They did everything imaginable to try and save the man.”
It is understood crews from other charter boats in the area also responded, and Dr Christidis was moved across several boats while waiting for the rescue helicopter to arrive. He was flown to the Mackay Base Hospital but died a short time later.
On September 19, Tasmanian mother Justine Barwick, 46, was attacked by a shark in the harbour, suffering severe leg injuries.
A day later, Melbourne schoolgirl Hannah Papps, 12, was mauled while swimming in shallow water in the same area. Despite having several rounds of surgery, her left leg was amputated last month.
The attacks prompted authorities to deploy baited drum lines in the harbour.
Ms Barwick said on Tuesday she was shocked to hear of the man’s death.
“I feel devastated for the family and friends of this young man … my heart goes out to all involved,” she said.
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