Luke Walford, a 40-year-old youth pastor, suffered fatal injuries during a shark attack while spearfishing at Humpy Island in the Great Barrier Reef. His passing has left the community in mourning.
Tragic Shark Attack Claims Life of Youth Pastor in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
Tragic Shark Attack Claims Life of Youth Pastor in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
A beloved school chaplain tragically loses his life to a shark attack while spearfishing with family.
On a Saturday afternoon, Luke Walford was enjoying a spearfishing outing with family on the Great Barrier Reef when tragedy struck. He was reportedly attacked by a shark, sustaining life-threatening injuries. Despite immediate assistance from paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene within an hour.
The attack occurred near Humpy Island, which is nestled in the Keppel Bay Islands National Park, a favored location for diving and snorkeling activities. Walford was not just a passionate spearfisher but also a dedicated school chaplain and pastor at the Cathedral of Praise church in Rockhampton, Queensland.
The local Member of Parliament, Donna Kirkland, expressed her shock over the news, recalling Walford as a cherished friend. "My prayers and heartfelt condolences are with his beautiful family and indeed the many who will be devastated, as I am, at this news," she stated.
A family friend, Doug Webber, shared his sorrow after realizing the rescue helicopter flying overhead was responding to an incident involving Walford. “I always say a little tribute for whoever it may be, but to find out it was Luke was a very sad day,” he lamented.
Queensland police confirmed that a report would be compiled for the coroner's review. The report comes following a concerning increase in shark-related incidents this year. Only last December, a teenage boy was killed in a similar attack, while four other shark attacks have already been documented in 2023 alone. Notably, Australia records more shark attacks than any other nation besides the United States, highlighting the need for continued safety awareness in the water.
The attack occurred near Humpy Island, which is nestled in the Keppel Bay Islands National Park, a favored location for diving and snorkeling activities. Walford was not just a passionate spearfisher but also a dedicated school chaplain and pastor at the Cathedral of Praise church in Rockhampton, Queensland.
The local Member of Parliament, Donna Kirkland, expressed her shock over the news, recalling Walford as a cherished friend. "My prayers and heartfelt condolences are with his beautiful family and indeed the many who will be devastated, as I am, at this news," she stated.
A family friend, Doug Webber, shared his sorrow after realizing the rescue helicopter flying overhead was responding to an incident involving Walford. “I always say a little tribute for whoever it may be, but to find out it was Luke was a very sad day,” he lamented.
Queensland police confirmed that a report would be compiled for the coroner's review. The report comes following a concerning increase in shark-related incidents this year. Only last December, a teenage boy was killed in a similar attack, while four other shark attacks have already been documented in 2023 alone. Notably, Australia records more shark attacks than any other nation besides the United States, highlighting the need for continued safety awareness in the water.
