Australian Pastor Killed in Shark Attack While Spearfishing
Luke Walford, a 40-year-old youth pastor, died after a shark attack near Humpy Island in Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef, leaving the community in mourning.
- Luke Walford, a youth pastor and school chaplain from Rockhampton, was spearfishing with family at Humpy Island when he was fatally attacked by a shark on Saturday afternoon.
- The attack occurred around 4:30 p.m., with Walford suffering severe neck injuries; despite paramedics' efforts, he succumbed to his injuries before 6 p.m.
- Walford, remembered as a beloved figure in his church and community, had served at the Cathedral of Praise Church for nearly a decade alongside his wife, Kayelene.
- Humpy Island, part of the Keppel Bay Islands National Park, is a popular destination for fishing, diving, and snorkeling, but shark attacks in the area remain rare.
- This marks the first fatal shark attack in Australia in 12 months, with local authorities preparing a report for the coroner as tributes pour in for Walford.
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