The family of a young teenager mauled to death by a shark have been left touched after a public fundraiser has generated more money than planned.
Khai Cowley, 15, died after his leg was bitten off at Ethel Beach in the Innes National Park, on the Yorke Peninsula of South , on Thursday.
The young surf champ was visiting the break with his dad when he was bitten by the great white before he was pulled from the water by a local.
His heartbroken family were left shattered following the teenager’s death with Khai’s aunt Lauryn Barley setting up a GoFundMe page.
The goal was to raise $7,500 to help Khai’s parents Tim and Kate arrange their son’s funeral.
Aussies flooded the page with donations to help the grieving family with more than $84,000 raised in less than a week.
Aussies have rallied to support the grieving family (pictured) of young surfer Khai Cowley who was killed by a shark at Ethel Beach in South
Khai (pictured) was surfing at Ethel beach last Thursday before he was bitten by a great white
The donors included close friends and family with some Aussies giving up to $500.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. What a talented and loved young man you brought up,’ one couple wrote.
‘We can’t possibly begin to understand your loss but please know that you are in so many people’s thoughts and hearts,’ another user said.
The Microgroms Surf Club donated $1,000 and paid tribute to Khai who was a former member of the club.
‘We are devastated by the passing of Khai, who was a member of our club since 2016,’ the tribute read.
‘He was a kind and considerate person, a good friend, and a talented surfer.
‘Khai was well respected and admired by all who knew him. Love and support to his family. We will miss you grommet.’
Aussies have flooded a GoFundMe page set up by Khai’s (pictured) aunt last week to help the 15-year-old’s family cover funeral costs
Khai’s shattered family have been overwhelmed by the support from the local community with the teenager’s grandad Peter Barley (pictured right) saying he’s never seen locals come together the way they have in the wake of the family’s loss
Khai’s grandfather Peter Barley told Nine News on Saturday the family was overwhelmed by the support.
‘So hurting… I’ve never seen people so hurt, honestly… it’s something to behold,’ he said.
‘I keep thinking at any minute he’s just going to keep walking through the front door.’
A ‘paddle out’ event has also been confirmed with the local surfing community set to celebrate Khai’s life and his love of the waves.