KILLED BY A SHARK

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21120, 22 March 1934, Page 9

KILLED BY A SHARK

* Sydney Tragedy DANGERS OF SURFING ON SOME BEACHES (FROM cr* CiWX COB*ESPO>f2I*T.) ! SYDNEY, March 15. j Sydney's latest shark horror has 1 brought home to Sydney surfers, as I no other similar tragedy has done, 1 the dangers to which they expose themselves every time they enter the water at the unprotected beaches. When Frank Athol Riley, who was only 16 years of age, was killed by a shark on Monday afternoon last, he was not even swimming out of his depth, but was standing in water that was up to his armpits. And he was not a tall lad. Further than that, he was surrounded by bathers. It has been the general belief that a shark will not come inside the first line of breakers, and that sharks are too timid to venture among a crowd of swimmers. Socalled authorities on the habits of the sharks will now have to adjust their views, but it remains to be seen whether the surfers will take heed of the tragedy and patronise only those beaches which have been provided with shark-proof nets. Monday's tragedy occurred at Dee Why. which is along the coast north of Manly, and a shark tragedy had never before occurred at this particular beach. As a matter of fact sharks have seldom been seen there, and this may have given a false sense of security. The fact remains that young Riley was not of the venturesome class. The Ilero of the Piece. These shark tragedies always produce a hero, and the hero of this week's tragedy was undoubtedly Eugene Laurence O'Toole, the permanent life-saver on the Dee Why beach, who showed amazing courage in going to the rescue of Riley. There was only a light surf when the attack was made, and under a glaring sun, with little or no wind, the sea all over the bay was calm. There were 30 or 40 surfers in the water, and Riley was standing with his brother waiting an opportunity for a "shoot-" A huge black fin suddenly broke the water a few yards from where the brothers were standing. It is estimated that the shark was at least 14 feet long. It circled round a number of swimmers, who scarcely had time to realise their danger, and

then struck at Riley. Its mouth was so enormous that at one bite it took off the boy's leg and the lower part of his back. Young Riley shouted, and then splashed his arms in an endeavour to reach the shore. His injuries, however, were of such a dreadful nature that he could do little. O'Toole's Bravery O'Toole had to enter the bloodstained water within a few feet of the shark in order to effect a rescue. Even while the shark was still engaged in his vicious attack O'Toole did not hesitate. When he reached Riley the lad was almost unconscioups, and it was quickly seen that there was practically no hoDe of his recovery. Here is O'Toole's story: "I was standing cn the steps near the surf shed watching the bathers in case any of them should be carried out. I heard screams and I saw Riley sink. The water immediately became red, and the foam of the breakers passing Riley were red almost to the beach. I ran down to the beach to the reel, seized the belt and rushed out to Riley. The shark let him go when I was close. I got hold of Riley and began to drag him back towards the beach. The shark's fin stood well out of the water as it cruised about 12ft away lrom us. When I got into shallow waters others assisted me to get Rilev ashore. Riley'- leg and part of his body had been torn away. I shouted lor towels and a number were brought to me, but Riley was nearly He murmured: 'lt got me. It's gone,' and then he must have died. He was dead before we got him to the clubhouse." Laurence Shields, who was swimming with R>iey, gave a vivid account of the attack. "Frank and I have been friends for four years," he said. "We usually swam together We were out about 25 yards looking for shoots, but the surl was very weak. We missed one wave, and Frank said we would wait for the next. The water was only a little above our waists, and we began to swim out. Frank was about four feet from me on my left. "Suddenly I saw a fin and

part of the back of a shark between Frank and myself. A line of foam and spray from the fin showed that it had circled round Frank before coming between us. The shark was so close to me that I could have put my hand on its back. I had hardly realised what was happening when the shark suddenly attacked Frank. ''He had no time to call out before he was dragged under the water. He disappeared completely and the water above him became red. Then he reappeared on the surface. The shark still had him by the leg. Frank was splashing with his arms ar.d making desperate efforts to reach the shore. The shark kept jerking him backwards and forwards. Frank continued his efforts to escape. He kept calling in a hoarse voice, 'Shark, shark. Oh! Oh!' I knew I could do nothing for him ar.d I swam towards the beach. I was '.i -hallow water when ;ne shark i. . H went." After the Tragedy For hours after the tragedy :..e shark cruised in the bay and at times, according to some accounts, swam round in 18 inches of water, very close to the beach, Excited crowds pointed out the long fm u s the monster up and down. Ellorts v.or. made by local fishermen to catch the monster, and it i* believed that it was actually hooked on one occasion. The shark" escaped by breaking the lir.e. At nightfall it was still patrolling the beach, and means of capturing it were eagerly discussed, but nothing was accomplished. Since 1919 there have been "2 roc-rded ;•?*; ;!• |- South* Walt:'-. The.-o have resuUc4 in 14 deaths, including three fishermen whose boat v.-L; a'/- <• ' sharks. The went vear v—n four i:^;e svo at B'-r.a:. cr.e a? " 1,.r: lib: a. a' d one at White Eav. Ha- : ' 'he harbour area h.. ' . . '.wo previr i -ihis '.-ear, o.teat QueenschH', near Manly, and the other in the uppti* reaches vi the George's river. Both the victims have recovered.