KILLED BY SHARK

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 79, 27 December 1929, Page 11

KILLED BY SHARK

TRAGEDY AT BALMAIN SWIMMER FRIGHTFULLY MANGLED DESPERATE STRUGGLE WITH MONSTER (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Rec. December 26, 10.20 p.m.) Sydney, December 26. A twelve-foot shark killed William Oakley, aged 17, to-day near the Bald Ferry Wharf, Balmain, a quiet spot where wheat ships load from silos for oversea ports, and much frequented lately by local youths for a quiet swim. Oakley had a dip with three companions. He came out and said he -would have another. “I will make it snappy, as we must catch the launch soon,” referring to an outing to which the party was going. He dived and swam for a time quietly a few yards out and then disappeared, but no notice was taken, as the others thought he was fooling. Then he came to the surface with a cry of anguish, and the onlookers were horrified to see the water stained red, while Oakley tried to beat off a shark, which was attacking him from below till the lad was dragged down. He came up again, struggling, and the watchers saw the monster make another rush at the boy, snapping at his head. It then disappeared in the direction of the open harbour. Despite his evident agony Oakley swam to the nearest launch, no boat being available to go to him. When lifted out his friends were horrified to see that Oakley’s left arm had been torn off, bls chest gashed, and right thigh frightfully mangled. An ambulance man attempted to give first aid, but the boy said: “I’m done. He got me good,” and died.