SHARK ATTACK.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1929, Page 6

SHARK ATTACK.

BONDI HORROR

SHOCK FOR SURFERS

SYDNEY, 17 Jan. It came as a great shock to Sydney’s army of surfers as well as to the public generally to learn, as they did when they read the accounts of the tragic death of Coiiu Stewart at Bondi, that bathers are liable to attacks from sharks wlmi they are but 20 yards from the shore and in but four feet of water. And, again, one of the most alarming feat res of this latest tragedy is that the monster attacked the boy between him and the beach. Despite this, the Moudi bench has been crowded with bathers ever since the attack. Since llilS there have been ten shark tragedies on the beaches of New South Wales, and it is significant that the majority of these occurred at sundown Within the past four years four of the live shark tragedies have taken place when night began to fall. In February, 1924, Nitn Derritt was taken at Bondi just before dusk. Jack Dagworthy was taken at Coogee in March, t'lg. - ) towards twilight: Ted Pritchard was taken at Newcastle in March 192(5 about the same time of'day; and A. K. Lane was taken at Merewethor. Newcastle, in April. I!'2S. about 5.4 b p.n. This emphasises the point made by Mr D. G. Stead, the international fisheries expert that .there is always much greater anger from one particular shark, the whaler, about nightfall. It was 0.15 p.m. when C’olin Stewart was attacked and so frightfully injured that he died in hospital the foliowing morning. Whenever it lias been possible to catch a shark that has made an attack it lias proved to be a whaler and it is this particular type that, is thought to have been responsible fertile death of young Stewart. The whaler is fond of shallow water and is to he found in the upper reaches of Sydney Harbour, making it. extremely dan gerous to swim in unproteetd water. Stewart was a tine type of boy, only 14 years of age, and exceedingly well built. He iived at Bondi, and was a typical sun-baked lad of the surf, .spoil, ding practically all his holidays in the water. Despite this he was not overventurcsome; The attack was remark, able for its sudden ness, as nobody seems to have seen the shark before the boy threw up his arms and cried for help. Momentarily tbe shark was sighted, but the length of the brute lias not been estimated. Despite the presence of the shark there were many who went to Stcwart-V assistance. but the honour of rescuing him from the water belongs to Jack Kelly, of Bondi and Robert 'KnvanaugllV'a young" doritnl student, of the City. Stewart’s fortitude and courage were amazing. Tt. would appear that the shark made- two attacks and tore away a great portion of his hack, and a large piece of flesh from the r ; ght thigh and leg. When rescuers reached him he was suffering terrific pain, but Ik* wns aide to give his name and address. Then, before lie lapsed into tbe unconsciousness that preceded bis death, be said: “I - never thought if was a shark when it touched me. . . .

I thought it was just one of the hoys having a joke.” He was taken to hospital as soon as lie had received first aid. hut such were the nature of his injuries that no hope was ever held out lor his recovery.