BOY KILLED

Hokitika Guardian, 27 December 1929, Page 5

BOY KILLED

BY A SHARK. (Australian Press Association). SYDNEY, December 2(5. A twelveJfoot shark killed William Oakley, aged seventeen, to-day, near Bald Rock, Ferry Wharf, Balmain, a quiet spot, where wheat ships load from the silos for oversea ports, and much frequented lately by local youths for a quiet swim. Oakley had a dip with three companions. He came out and said he would have another. “I will make it snappy, as we must catch the launch soon,” he said, referring to an outing to which the party were going. Me dived and swam for a time quietly a few yards out. Then he disappeared, but no notice was taken, as the others thought he was fooling. Then he came to the surface with a cry of anguish, and the onlookers were horrified to see the water stained red, while Oakley tried to beat oil' the shark, which was attacking him from below, till he was dragged down. He came up again, struggling, and the watchers saw the monster make another rush at the hoy, snapping at his head. It then disappeared in the direction of the open harbour. Despite his evident’ agony, Oakley swam to the nearest launch, no boat being available to go to him. When lifted out, his friends were horified to see his left arm was torn off, his chest gashed, and his right thigh frightfully mangled. An ambulance man attempted to give aid, but the boy said: “I’m done! He got me good!” And then he died.