Sydney, Australia, Nov 19 (EFE).- A young commercial diver died following a shark attack in New Zealand’s remote Chatham Islands on Tuesday, police said.
“Emergency services were called around midday, following reports the man – who had been diving off a boat – had been critically injured,” police said in a statement.
The victim was transferred to hospital in the Chathams, some 850 kilometers east of the South Island, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
“The death will be referred to the coroner,” police added.
The victim was identified by New Zealand media as 24-year-old Jade Kahukore-Dixon.
In June he had ed a business, Nomad Diving Ltd, in which he was the sole director and shareholder, Stuff reported.
While it is not known what type of shark killed the young man, his father Jacky Dixon told the website he believes it was a great white.
He said his son often saw great whites but wasn’t afraid of them, adding he would hide behind rocks before sneaking back to the boat.
Unlike in Australia or South Africa, shark attacks are rare in New Zealand.
In 2013, a 46-year-old man was killed in a shark attack at Muriwai Beach, west of Auckland.
Great whites have poor eyesight and research suggests they can mistake humans for seals. EFE
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