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  • 4 hours ago
A community in far north Queensland is in mourning, after the death of a man who was bitten by a shark.

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00:01We know that the 39-year-old man who is from Cairns was out on a private boat spearfishing
00:08with three other men in an area called Kennedy Shoals.
00:11It's a popular fishing and diving spot about 50 kilometres well out to shore from here.
00:16When he was bitten on the head by a shark is what police have said.
00:21Now, emergency services say they were notified of the incident by midday yesterday.
00:26It took about an hour for that boat with the other three men on board as well to get back
00:32here to Hull Heads,
00:33just at the Hull Heads boat ramp across the channel from here.
00:38Now, police have, you know, of course, spoken about the impacts of this particular incident.
00:45And they talked about, you know, the impacts on the other three men who are on board as well.
00:49Now, upon arrival at that boat ramp, emergency services were there.
00:53But despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead at about 1pm.
00:57We heard from Inspector Elaine Burns in Cairns yesterday who described the impact,
01:04you know, just how terrifying and traumatic this would have been for the other men.
01:07Here's a bit of what she told us.
01:08Our investigations are ongoing, but of course, this is a tragic incident for everyone involved.
01:14And we will continue to provide support to the family and those who were on board with him.
01:20And this is the second shark attack in Australian waters in as many weeks?
01:25That's right, Gemma.
01:26Just about 10 days ago, 38-year-old Stephen Mataboni was also attacked by a shark and sadly died.
01:34And that was just off WA's coast around Rottnes Island.
01:38Now, look, as with that incident, in this incident up here in far north Queensland,
01:43police will now be putting together a report for the coroner.
01:46So they'll be trying to firm up some extra details,
01:49like exactly where around Kennedy Shoals the man was attacked.
01:52They also still need to confirm exactly what species of shark was responsible for this attack.
01:59And they say they'll be working with the Department of Environment on that.
02:02So there's certainly a few extra details to come, Gemma.
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