A 63-year-old father was killed by a great white shark while swimming close to shore at a popular Australian beach, turning a routine morning swim into a fatal attack.
The victim was identified as Greg James O’Neill, a Perth father and passionate ocean swimmer. He was swimming at Sorrento Beach on Friday morning when the shark attacked him. His friend was also in the water at the time but survived.
Witnesses reported seeing blood in the water and a shark near the shoreline. Emergency crews launched a major search involving water police, helicopters and other resources, but O’Neill’s body had not been recovered as of Sunday.
O’Neill’s family described him as a devoted father, grandfather-to-be, brother, uncle and friend. They said he loved the ocean and was known as a passionate swimmer, sports lover and generous person.
Authorities believe the shark involved was a large great white that remained in the area after the attack. Western Australia Fisheries Minister Jackie Jarvis issued a rare catch-and-kill order, saying the decision was made because of the circumstances of the attack and the potential danger posed by the shark.
Several beaches in Perth’s northern suburbs were closed while authorities continued searching for the shark and O’Neill. Capture equipment was later deployed offshore as officials attempted to locate the animal.
O’Neill’s death was the third fatal shark attack recorded in Western Australia this year and the second in the region within the same week.