(CP) A beloved youth pastor in Queensland, Australia, dies after being attacked by a shark whereas spearfishing. A 40-year-old man was reportedly bitten on the neck whereas he was within the water along with his household.
Emergency providers responded to calls final weekend and located Luke Walford, a youth pastor at Cathedral of Reward Church in Rockhampton, Queensland, affected by “life-threatening accidents,” in response to The Straits Instances.
Police stated Walford was fishing off Humpy Island in Keppel Bay Islands Nationwide Park off the Nice Barrier Reef when the assault occurred. A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman stated Walford suffered a “critical life-threatening wound to the neck” and died on the scene.
Walford had beforehand posted photographs of himself in a wetsuit throughout earlier fishing expeditions and was believed to be spearfishing on the time, in response to neighborhood leaders.
“He was a younger man who cherished individuals, who cherished God,” Claude Fingleton, pastor of the Cathedral of Reward, advised Australia's ABC tv, as famous by The Instances. “He was a lot cherished.
A household buddy stated he watched the rescue helicopter fly overhead however had no thought it was for Walford.
“I all the time give a bit tribute to anybody, however to search out out it was Luke was a really unhappy day,” Doug Webber advised the BBC.
Donna Kirkland, Queensland Member of Parliament representing Rockhampton, expressed shock on the assault, describing Walford as “a household buddy not solely to my circle of relatives however to numerous others”.
In an announcement shared on Fb and quoted by Information.com.au, one church member wrote: “I’ve had the privilege of watching Luke develop from a toddler right into a exceptional younger man. I initiated him as a toddler and during the last 10 to 13 years I’ve witnessed of his unimaginable contributions as a member of our congregation.He was a very beloved determine, particularly amongst our younger individuals, kids and the whole congregation.
A number of individuals remembered the late pastor as “exceptional, selfless” and “essentially the most beneficiant individual”.
One other tribute learn: “This man was essentially the most beneficiant individual I’ve ever met, giving time to everybody round him. He went out of his solution to give every part he needed to others, actually placing any agenda second to younger and previous, women and men.”
Police stated Walford was on trip along with his household.
Humpy Island within the Keppel Bay Islands Nationwide Park is fashionable with tenting fans who come for the snorkelling, diving and quick access to the reefs. It’s a part of the southern a part of the Nice Barrier Reef, recognized for its marine wildlife and visited by vacationers yearly.
Australian authorities have recorded greater than 1,200 shark incidents throughout the nation since 1791, with greater than 250 leading to dying, in response to The Instances. Nice white sharks, bull sharks and tiger sharks induced essentially the most critical bites.
Australia's earlier deadly shark assault occurred in December 2023, when it killed a teenage boy believed to be a fantastic white in South Australia, in response to the BBC.
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