A West Australian teenager reportedly fired a spear gun into the mouth of a great white shark he watched kill his friend just seconds earlier.
Matt Pullella and Jay Muscat were spearfishing at Cheynes Beach, near Albany, on Monday when they were reportedly attacked by the shark. Mr. Pullella said the shark attacked him first, then went after his friend, killing him about 40 yards offshore, Australia’s 9 News reported.
Mr. Pullella said that once the shark turned on him, he was able to shoot it in the mouth with his spear gun.
“The shark hit me first then attacked Jay,” the teen reportedly wrote in a Facebook tribute to his friend. “The shark turned and came for me, I pushed the spear gun down its throat and fired the gun.”
Premier of Western Australia, Colin Barnett, described Muscat’s death as a “terrible tragedy,” 9 News reported.
Cheynes Beach remained closed during peak season on Tuesday due to its imminent threat policy. Fisheries Department deployed drumlines in the area to catch any shark longer than roughly 3 yards, 9 News reported.
Fisheries spokesman Rick Fletcher told ABC radio that it was likely the shark would be killed if caught, though it’s unlikely the shark responsible for the attack will be identifiable.
“Obviously, if we find a shark with a spear in it — that’s clear cut. But that’s probably unlikely,” Mr. Fletcher said.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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