Tributes Have Been Paid To A Father-of-two Who Was Killed In A Shark Attack

Tributes have been paid to a father-of-two who was killed in a shark attack while spearfishing off the coast of Western Australia on Saturday. Steven Mattaboni, 38, died after being attacked near Horseshoe Reef off Rottnest Island, close to Perth. Police said he suffered catastrophic injuries to his lower legs after being bitten by what authorities believe was a great white shark measuring around four to five metres long.Friends who were with Mr Mattaboni during the incident pulled him from the water and rushed him back to shore while performing CPR. Emergency crews and paramedics continued resuscitation efforts at Geordie Bay jetty, but he could not be saved. In an emotional statement, his wife Shirene described him as a “truly one-of-a-kind gentleman” and a devoted father to their two young daughters. She said the family’s “hearts are irrevocably broken” by the loss. Mr Mattaboni, a keen fisherman and spearfisherman, was also remembered by Kingsley Football Club and members of the Western Australian spearfishing community, who described him as generous, loyal and deeply passionate about the ocean. Authorities said the attack happened around 10am local time on Saturday, about one kilometre offshore. Beaches on Rottnest Island remained open afterward, though officials urged the public to monitor shark warnings and exercise caution in the water. The fatality is one of several serious shark incidents reported in Australia in recent months and has renewed debate over shark monitoring and beach safety measures in Western Australia.