Sat Jan 7 2006
Brisbane Australia:-
A WOMAN desperately called out "Shark!" seconds before being mauled to death in a frenzied attack by up to three of them – but onlookers thought she had been joking.
The sharks struck as the 21-year-old victim was swimming with friends at Amity Point, off Queensland's North Stradbroke Island, about 5.30pm (AEST) Saturday.
Within seconds they had torn off both the woman's arms and savagely mauled her torso and legs.
Two fishermen were the first to react, dragging her out of the water onto the beach.
Frantic bystanders scrambled for towels to stem the bleeding before a helicopter rushed the stricken woman to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital where she died of shock and massive blood loss.
The horror of the pack attack has stunned the carefree holiday haven just east of Brisbane.
Beaches have been closed as police and fishermen search waters off the Moreton Bay island for the shark that attacked in waist deep water Saturday.
Inspector Peter Harding said all beaches within a two kilometre stretch both east and west of the fateful spot – known as Rainbow Channel – had been closed.
In the first detailed description of the tragedy, Insp Harding said the victim had been swimming with three friends from a church group when she was attacked.
"She went down under the water ... after about five or six seconds the deceased came out of the water and screamed `Shark' and of course people at the time thought she was only joking ... until they saw the blood," he said.
Two nearby fishermen managed to get the stricken woman from the water and onto the beach.
But the injuries were so catastrophic that little could be done.
She was airlifted to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital, where she died 50 minutes after the attack.
Insp Harding said the extent of the woman's injuries indicated it was a pack of bull sharks, noted for their aggressive nature at this time of year.
"She was bleeding quite heavily – I'm of the opinion of what I've seen and what I've been told, there was more than one shark involved, there could have been up to three," he said.
He said beaches east and west of Amity Point – which ironically bears a similar name to the fictitious Amity Island, where swimmers were savaged in the movie Jaws – would be closed "for a while" as a precautionary measure.
He said police divers and fishermen were trying to hunt down the sharks to "retrieve what we can".
Insp Harding said some locals won't go near Rainbow Channel, which he described as one of the deepest in Moreton Bay, "at any time".
"After Friday night's storm – the water was very murky and dirty, in fact so much so one of the locals of there wouldn't go in and dive," he said.
Despite earlier reports, Insp Harding said there was no dog with the woman at the time of the attack, and that the woman was swimming in water "anything from chest-deep to 30 feet".
-justin-
SHARK ATTACK KILLS WOMAN OFF AUSTRALIA
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- wxmann_91
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Re: SHARK ATTACK KILLS WOMAN OFF AUSTRALIA
tropicana wrote:The sharks struck as the 21-year-old victim was swimming with friends at Amity Point, off Queensland's North Stradbroke Island, about 5.30pm (AEST) Saturday.
Within seconds they had torn off both the woman's arms and savagely mauled her torso and legs.
The ironic thing is that a week ago I read the book Jaws, in which a shark was haunting a ficticious town called Amity. I guess it foresaw today's events.

But seriously, prayers for the victim and her family. Very sad story indeed.

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Man, I hate to hear about shark attacks, I hear of them frequently as we are in the shark bite capital of the world here in Florida(New Symrna). But they are rarley fatal, although 2 were last year, but It still gives you chills to think about it. This is a horrible story and the irony of it being Amity beach just gives me the hibbie jibbies. I don't think I would swim at a place with that name, just because of what it relates to. Prayers go out to her family and friends.
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- tropicana
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Brisbane, Australia
Fri Jan 13 2006
SHARK ATTACK VICTIM MEMORIAL SERVICE
Shark attack victim Sarah Kate Whiley spent the final moments of her young life in the arms of those she loved, mourners at a memorial service have been told.
The 21-year-old from McDowall on Brisbane's northside died from shock and blood loss after being mauled by up to three bull sharks at Amity Point, off Queensland's North Stradbroke Island, last Saturday.
The third year Occupational Therapy student was swimming in waist-high water with three friends from a church group when both of her arms were bitten off in the horrific attack.
She yelled "shark" as she fought for her life, but tragically her friends thought she was joking until they saw the blood.
She was remembered at the Sunshine Coast Christian Fellowship church at Forest Glen - of which she was a member - as a "fun loving girl who lived life at full speed".
About 400 mourners focused on her profound faith in God and her "full and giving life".
Earlier, Ms Whiley was cremated in a simple and private ceremony before her family held a memorial service at the church.
Pastor Graeme Harry said the depth of Ms Whiley's faith was seen in the "amazing peace" she showed in her last moments.
"From jaws that could have consumed her completely, she was delivered, for a brief time, into the arms of some of those whom she loved," he told the gathering.
"Although fully aware of what was happening, she left us with a testimony of complete peace, and freedom from pain - a clear witness to the anointing of God resting upon her."
Frantic bystanders and friends tried to save Ms Whiley after she was dragged on to the beach moments after the attack.
Family friend Paul Cox, who delivered the eulogy, said Ms Whiley had a caring nature and empathy for those less fortunate.
"These were evident from an early age as Sarah showed compassion well beyond her years," he said.
Pastor David Black reflected on Ms Whiley's larrikin streak.
"Sarah would often break out into an impromptu song or performance, even if her own dignity suffered a little along the way," he said.
No members of her family spoke during the hour-long service.
Her mother Dorothy, father Tony and 23-year-old sister Sian silently held hands through each of the prayers and hymns dedicated to the young woman.
Ms Whiley was the first shark-related death at a beach protected by Queensland's Shark Safety Program since it began 44 years ago.
-justin-
Fri Jan 13 2006
SHARK ATTACK VICTIM MEMORIAL SERVICE
Shark attack victim Sarah Kate Whiley spent the final moments of her young life in the arms of those she loved, mourners at a memorial service have been told.
The 21-year-old from McDowall on Brisbane's northside died from shock and blood loss after being mauled by up to three bull sharks at Amity Point, off Queensland's North Stradbroke Island, last Saturday.
The third year Occupational Therapy student was swimming in waist-high water with three friends from a church group when both of her arms were bitten off in the horrific attack.
She yelled "shark" as she fought for her life, but tragically her friends thought she was joking until they saw the blood.
She was remembered at the Sunshine Coast Christian Fellowship church at Forest Glen - of which she was a member - as a "fun loving girl who lived life at full speed".
About 400 mourners focused on her profound faith in God and her "full and giving life".
Earlier, Ms Whiley was cremated in a simple and private ceremony before her family held a memorial service at the church.
Pastor Graeme Harry said the depth of Ms Whiley's faith was seen in the "amazing peace" she showed in her last moments.
"From jaws that could have consumed her completely, she was delivered, for a brief time, into the arms of some of those whom she loved," he told the gathering.
"Although fully aware of what was happening, she left us with a testimony of complete peace, and freedom from pain - a clear witness to the anointing of God resting upon her."
Frantic bystanders and friends tried to save Ms Whiley after she was dragged on to the beach moments after the attack.
Family friend Paul Cox, who delivered the eulogy, said Ms Whiley had a caring nature and empathy for those less fortunate.
"These were evident from an early age as Sarah showed compassion well beyond her years," he said.
Pastor David Black reflected on Ms Whiley's larrikin streak.
"Sarah would often break out into an impromptu song or performance, even if her own dignity suffered a little along the way," he said.
No members of her family spoke during the hour-long service.
Her mother Dorothy, father Tony and 23-year-old sister Sian silently held hands through each of the prayers and hymns dedicated to the young woman.
Ms Whiley was the first shark-related death at a beach protected by Queensland's Shark Safety Program since it began 44 years ago.
-justin-
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- tropicana
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ANOTHER SHARK ATTACK..
THIS TIME OFF OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Perth Australia:-
Sun Jan 15 2006
A SHARK-repelling device may have saved the life of a Perth diver after he was bitten by a white pointer Sunday.
Bernard Williams, 52, was scuba diving 5.5km from Perth's City Beach when he was attacked from behind, suffering a deep laceration to his elbow.
As temperatures reached the low-30s (near 90F) , City Beach, a popular swimming spot, remained open despite the attack.
It came a week after Sarah Whiley, 21, was mauled to death by up to three bull sharks off Queensland's North Stradbroke Island.
Police Inspector George Putland said a fishing vessel had noticed a shark circling the boat at about 11am and contacted the Department of Fisheries, warning that divers were nearby.
The boat owner was asked to rev his engine to warn the divers of the shark, but 20 minutes later Mr Williams surfaced with a bite near the elbow.
Mr Williams, of the northern beachside suburb of Sorrento, was diving with two friends, one of whom activated a sonar shark shield when he saw blood as Mr Williams struggled.
"The shark attacked from behind, grabbing and biting him," Inspector Putland said.
"He hit out with his spear gun to frighten it away."
He was taken to shore by surf lifesavers and treated by paramedics before being taken to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Air patrols failed to find the shark.
Department of Fisheries spokesman Todd A'Vard said staff remained on alert after the department searched the area with the water police.
"Boat users and other divers in the area were told of the attack by officers in the patrol vessels and warned of the potential dangers if the shark was still in the area," Mr A'Vard said.
"While some divers left the water, several chose to remain despite the warning."
-justin-
THIS TIME OFF OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Perth Australia:-
Sun Jan 15 2006
A SHARK-repelling device may have saved the life of a Perth diver after he was bitten by a white pointer Sunday.
Bernard Williams, 52, was scuba diving 5.5km from Perth's City Beach when he was attacked from behind, suffering a deep laceration to his elbow.
As temperatures reached the low-30s (near 90F) , City Beach, a popular swimming spot, remained open despite the attack.
It came a week after Sarah Whiley, 21, was mauled to death by up to three bull sharks off Queensland's North Stradbroke Island.
Police Inspector George Putland said a fishing vessel had noticed a shark circling the boat at about 11am and contacted the Department of Fisheries, warning that divers were nearby.
The boat owner was asked to rev his engine to warn the divers of the shark, but 20 minutes later Mr Williams surfaced with a bite near the elbow.
Mr Williams, of the northern beachside suburb of Sorrento, was diving with two friends, one of whom activated a sonar shark shield when he saw blood as Mr Williams struggled.
"The shark attacked from behind, grabbing and biting him," Inspector Putland said.
"He hit out with his spear gun to frighten it away."
He was taken to shore by surf lifesavers and treated by paramedics before being taken to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Air patrols failed to find the shark.
Department of Fisheries spokesman Todd A'Vard said staff remained on alert after the department searched the area with the water police.
"Boat users and other divers in the area were told of the attack by officers in the patrol vessels and warned of the potential dangers if the shark was still in the area," Mr A'Vard said.
"While some divers left the water, several chose to remain despite the warning."
-justin-
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- AussieMark
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AUstralia is known for Shark attacks unfortunately
in 2004 we had the 2nd most attacks after the United States
Unfortunately great white attacks seem to be getting more common these days
in December 2004 a teenager was attacked by a pair of great white on Adelaides West Beach.
in 2004 we had the 2nd most attacks after the United States

Unfortunately great white attacks seem to be getting more common these days
in December 2004 a teenager was attacked by a pair of great white on Adelaides West Beach.
Great whites strike
By BRAD CLIFTON
December 17, 2004
A PAIR of great white sharks killed a teenager off a popular suburban beach yesterday as his mates watched in horror.
Nick Peterson, 18, was taken by a 5m shark after he fell from a surfboard being towed behind a boat about 300m off West Beach in Adelaide.
One girl who saw the attack gave a terrifying account of the savage mauling.
"He only jumped out [of the boat] for about two or three minutes,'' she said.
"It got his left arm and took him around the boat. "Then another shark had come in and they just took him to pieces.''
Peterson and his three friends, who are all from Adelaide's western suburbs, had been on the water for about half an hour when the attack occurred at 3.30pm.
They were taking turns being towed on a tri-fin surfboard behind a 4.5m aluminium runabout.
It was a warm day in Adelaide and the sea was calm and full of swimmers.
Police immediately closed a number of beaches in the area and scoured the coastline for several hours yesterday, but were unable to locate the sharks or any of the victim's remains.
Authorities said it appeared from all reports that the surfer had been killed instantly.
"He fell off the surfboard and the shark appeared and took him," South Australian Sea Rescue Squadron spokesman Frasier Bell said.
"It tore him apart . . . apparently it tore him in half and the other shark came in and took the rest."
He described the larger of the two sharks as being more than 5m in length, while the second animal was slightly smaller.
Mr Bell said the teenagers were forced to look on helplessly as their friend was savaged.
"They tried everything they could think of but unfortunately the sharks had taken him by that stage," he said.
"They're in deep shock, they're a wreck."
Stunned on-lookers watched as police carried the victim's tri-fin surfboard from their small runabout shortly after the attack, while the three youths were comforted by family members called to the scene.
Yesterday's incident was the second fatal shark attack in Australian waters in a week, following the death on Saturday of a spearfisherman Reef in far north Queensland.
Mark Thompson, 38, of Clifton Beach, died after being savaged by a shark that severed an artery in his upper leg.
Some shark experts believe one of the sharks involved in yesterday's attack could be the same animal that stalked two fishermen in a small boat off Adelaide last month.
The pair were fishing about 12km off the coast on November 30 when the 5m great white began circling their runabout.
The pair filmed the shark as it swam around the boat for more than 20 minutes, at one stage appearing to bite the propeller
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Alright Justin, you are gonna have to stop this thread around spring when I will be going to the beach often.
I am paraniod enough, I won't even go to Symrna Beach anymore if I have a choice, because it is the shark bite capital of the world. I know it is more likely that I get ina car wreck, but it just really freaks me out. 


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