(CP) A beloved youth pastor in Queensland, Australia, died after a shark attack while spearfishing. The 40-year-old was bitten on the neck while within the water along with his family, in response to reports.
Emergency services received calls this past weekend and located Luke Walford, a youth pastor from the Cathedral of Praise church in Rockhampton, Queensland, suffering “life-threatening injuries,” in response to The Straits Times.
Police said Walford was fishing off Humpy Island within the Great Barrier Reef’s Keppel Bay Islands National Park when the attack happened. A Queensland ambulance spokesperson said Walford had sustained a “significant life-threatening wound to his neck” and died on the scene.
Walford had previously posted photos of himself in a wetsuit during earlier fishing trips and was believed to have been spearfishing on the time, in response to community leaders.
“This was a young man who loved people, who loved God,” Claude Fingleton, the pastor of Cathedral of Praise, told the Australian broadcaster ABC, as noted by The Times. “He was greatly loved.”
A family friend said he watched the rescue helicopter fly overhead but had no idea it was for Walford.
“I all the time say just a little tribute for whoever it could be, but to seek out out it was Luke was a really sad day,” Doug Webber told the BBC.
Donna Kirkland, a Queensland State Parliament member representing Rockhampton, expressed shock over the attack and described Walford as “a family friend, not only to my circle of relatives but additionally countless others.”
In a press release shared on Facebook and quoted by News.com.au, one church member wrote: “I’ve had the privilege of watching Luke grow from a baby to a remarkable young man. I dedicated him as a baby, and over the past 10 to 13 years, I’ve witnessed his incredible contributions as a part of our church staff. He was truly a beloved figure, especially amongst our young people, children, and all the congregation.”
Several people remembered the late pastor as “remarkable, selfless” and “probably the most generous person.”
Another tribute read: “This man was probably the most generous person I actually have ever met along with his time to all those around him. He went out of his technique to give all he needed to others, literally putting any of his agendas second to the young and old, men and ladies alike.”
Police indicated Walford had been on holiday along with his family.
Humpy Island within the Keppel Bay Islands National Park is popular with camping enthusiasts who come for snorkeling, diving and quick access to reefs. It is a component of the southern section of the Great Barrier Reef, renowned for its marine wildlife and visited by travelers annually.
Australian authorities recorded greater than 1,200 shark incidents across the country since 1791, with over 250 leading to death, in response to The Times. Most serious bites have been attributable to white sharks, bull sharks and tiger sharks.
Australia’s previous fatal shark attack took place in December 2023, when a teenage boy was killed by what was believed to be a fantastic white in South Australia, in response to BBC.
