SHARK KILLS YOUTH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 856, 27 December 1929, Page 9

SHARK KILLS YOUTH

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AT SYDNEY BRAVE VICTIM’S FIGHT L mted /■ A —By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, Thursday. A 12ft. shark killed William Oakley, aged 17, today, near Bald Rock, Ferry Wharf, Balmain. This is a quiet spot where wheat ships load irom silos for oversea ports. It has been much frequented of late by local youths lor a Quiet swim. Oakley had had a dip with three companions. He came out of the water and said he would go in again. He then dived and swam for a time quietly a few yards out. Suddenly the yo,uth disappeared No notice was taken of the fact, as his companions thought he was playing However, Oakley came to the surface with a cry of anguish. The onlookers were horrified to see the water stained red. Oakley tried to beat off a shark which was attacking him from below. He was dragged down, but came up again struggling.

Then the watchers saw the monster make another rush at the boy, snappmg at his head. It then disappeared in the direction of the open harbour. , spite of his evident agony, Oakley swam to the nearest launch as no boat was available to go to him When finally he was lifted out of the launch his friends were horrified to see that his left arm had been torn off, his chest bitten, end his right thigh badly injured. An ambulance man attempted to give the injured youth aid, but he said: "I am done. He got me good.” So saying he died.