The talented teenage surfer killed in a shark attack in a remote beach in South has been named as Khai Cowley, 15.
The youngster died after his leg bitten off in the attack and he was pulled from the water near Ethel Beach in the Innes National Park, on the Yorke Peninsula of South , about 1.30pm on Thursday.
Witnesses said the horrific attack played out in front of his horrified father who had taken his son there from their home in Seaford, Adelaide.
Just two weeks ago,Khai had been named the ‘most outstanding grom performer’ by his local Seaview Road Board Riders surf club.
The talented teenage surfer killed in a shark attack in a remote beach in South has been named as Khai Cowley, 15.
The youngster died after his leg bitten off in the attack and he was pulled from the water near Ethel Beach in the Innes National Park, on the Yorke Peninsula of South on Thursday
‘The shark took his leg, and so another local guy ran out, jumped on his board and paddled out to help him,’ one local told the Adelaide Advertiser.
‘The shark was circling them as the guy pulled the boy out of the water. There was a lot of blood.
‘He brought him to shore but I think it was too late by then.’
Emergency services tried desperately to save the teen but his injuries were unsurvivable.
Friends have paid tribute to the youngster online, with one posting on social media: ‘Fly high Kai – lots of love and missing you already’.
His aunt Lauryn Barley has now set up a GoFundMe appeal to raise funds for the family in the wake of the tragedy.
‘Our beloved Khai was suddenly taken from us by a white pointer while surfing at Ethel Wreck off the coast of Yorke Penisula,’ she posted.
‘I’m here to try help raise funds for my sister, Kate and brother, Tim to cover the cost of the funeral service.’
A family friend added: ‘Life can change in a second and we are never prepared.
‘Our friend’s son and grandson Khai died yesterday in a shark attack which has not only rocked a family yet a whole community.
‘As a community we come together and this is one way we can support this family right now. Thank you for your kindness.’
Another added: ‘A boy with so much potential. He will hold a place in everyone’s heart.’
A local fisherman said that large sharks are a common sight along Marion Bay at the Innes National Park.
‘We’ve seen some pretty big bronzies in the area, but that’s normal here,’ he said.
‘I went to take the boat out and the road to Ethel’s was blocked by rangers.
‘There’s no cell reception out there in the park so we didn’t know what had happened until we got back to Marion Bay.’
There have sadly been several shark attacks around South in recent months.
More to follow