Man dies from shark bite in Queensland’s Cid Harbour
News Release
myPolice Mackay
06. November 2018
Fatal shark bite, Whitsunday Island (Cid Harbour)
The Whitsunday Water Police will be conducting patrols of Cid Harbour today along with vessels from other Queensland and Commonwealth Government agencies.
The patrols are designed to provide reassurance to the boating community and tourists on the water.
Yesterday a 33-year-old man was bitten by a shark in the waters of Cid Harbour. The species of shark is as yet unknown.
The man was part of a group of ten people on a 40 foot sailing boat which left Airlie Beach from Amity Point.
When the vessel arrived in Cid Harbour, the man and a woman were taking turns paddle boarding in the water.
When the man got off the paddle boat and into the water, he was bitten by the shark.
French-speaking tourists in a nearby vessel launched a tender to reach the pair and brought them back to their boat.
Two doctors who were part of the man’s group provided immediate first aid and the Queensland Ambulance Service was notified.
The RACQ CQ Rescue Helicopter airlifted the man to Mackay Base Hospital but due to substantial blood loss and severe injuries, the man sadly died after arrival there.
Whitsunday Police are interviewing witnesses to the incident and will use this information to prepare a report for the Coroner.
The Queensland Police Service extends its sympathies to the deceased man’s loved ones at this difficult time.
Source: myPolice
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JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for the Commonwealth Games – The Honourable Kate Jones
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries- The Honourable Mark Furner
Tuesday, November 06, 2018
Do not swim in Cid Harbour
More signs will be installed re-enforcing that no one should swim in Cid Harbour under any circumstances.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said following conversations with the local mayor and the local tourism industry, even more advice telling people not to swim in Cid Harbour would be fast tracked.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who lost his life,” Ms Jones said.
“Our thanks also go to the first responders and medical staff who assisted.
“The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will install temporary signs by the weekend with permanent signs to be installed within the next few weeks.
“Local charter operators have already been active in telling anyone hiring a boat that no one should swim in Cid Harbour.
“Neither the local mayor, Andrew Willcox, marine authorities nor local tourism operators want to see drumlines redeployed.
“They want re-enforced messaging and that’s what we are doing. Water police are on the harbour re-enforcing that message again today.
“As well as new signs we will also work on other ways of getting the message to tourists and boaties.”
Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said no one should swim in Cid Harbour at any time.
“We can’t be clearer – don’t swim in Cid Harbour,” he said.
“Drumlines or not, no one should swim in Cid Harbour.
“As local charter operators have advised, Cid Harbour is primarily a site for mooring.
“The disposal of food scraps can attract sharks and that means no one should swim in Cid Harbour under any circumstances.”
Source: Queensland Government