A pastor died in a shark attack on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

A 40-year-old man has died after being attacked by a shark at the edge of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, local police said.

Luke Walford, a youth pastor, was spearfishing with his family when he was bitten Saturday afternoon.

He suffered “life-threatening injuries” and despite the efforts of paramedics, he died at the scene about an hour later, authorities said.

He and his family were in the water on Hampi Island, in the Great Barrier Reef’s Keppel Bay Islands National Park, when the attack happened. The area is a popular spot for diving and snorkeling.

Walford was a school chaplain and pastor at the Cathedral Church of Praise in Rockhampton, Queensland.

Donna Kirkland, his local MP, said she was shocked and that Walford was a friend to her and “countless others”.

“My prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to his wonderful family and to the many who will be devastated by this news, as I am,” she added.

A family friend told ABC News that he watched the rescue helicopter fly over his home, not knowing it was for his friend.

“I always pay tribute to whoever it was, but to find out it was Luke was really sad,” Doug Webber said.

Queensland Police said a report would be prepared for an investigator.

The last fatal shark attack in Australia occurred in December 2023, when a teenage boy was killed in the south.

According to a local database, there have been four other shark incidents in Australia this year alone.

Overall, Australia has more shark attacks than any other country except the US.