Shark takes diver
from rescuer
By Sam Lienert
30 April 2002
A scallop diver was
killed when a shark dragged him from his mate's arms as he was being
pulled into a boat.
The 23-year-old professional diver was attacked as he was working off
Smoky Bay in the Great Australian Bight.
His companion escaped
injury but was taken to hospital for shock.
The two men were
diving for scallops off the small South Australian fishing port when
the attack happened.
SA Ambulance spokesman
Lee Francis said it was believed the victim was a professional diver
from Port Lincoln who had been diving off a boat with another man.
He said the attack
happened about 12.40pm (CST).
"I understand he
came to the surface, there was a cry for help," Mr Francis said.
"But as the other
person tried to get him on board the shark grabbed him and pulled him
underneath."
Smoky Bay resident
Shane Debnam said there had been two boats with scallop divers working
in the area, with two divers on each.
It was the fifth
fatal shark attack in South Australian water in the past four years.
Two surfers were
taken on consecutive days in September 2000, a sailboarder was taken
in May 1999, and in June 1998 a man was killed while diving for abalone.
The Great Australian
Bight is a known haunt of great white sharks, but there was no confirmation
of the species involved in today's attack
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