‘Horrific scenes’: Rottnest Island shark attack victim had been spear fishing with friends

Police have revealed that the victim of a shark attack on Saturday morning off Rottnest Island was out spear fishing with friends when the tragedy struck just before 10am.

The 38-year-old was bitten on the lower legs while swimming at Horseshoe Reef, about a kilometre from the beach in the north-west of the island.

His friends took him to Geordie Bay jetty and called emergency services on the way.

Paramedics attended the scene and provided CPR but the man, who had been fishing off the island on a day trip from the northern suburbs of Perth, could not be saved.

“The victim was on the surface at the time, about 20 metres away from the vessel,” Rottnest Island officer-in-charge Michael Wear said.

“The injuries were quite horrific.”

Wear said the man’s friends retrieved him from the water and gave him CPR on the way back to shore.

The group were out fishing for the day in two separate boats.

Police responded to the incident with water police and air wing crews. The RAC rescue chopper was also sent to the incident.

“All the emergency services that were there did a fantastic job with what were quite horrific scenes,” Wear said.

Wear said water police would be patrolling the area over the rest of the weekend and advised beach goers to take care.

Emergency crews were seen by the 9 News Perth helicopter trying to save the man.

“About 9.55am on Saturday 16 May 2026, emergency services were advised of a possible shark attack off the coast of Rottnest Island,” a WA Police spokesperson said.

“A 38-year-old man was in the water at Horseshoe Reef when he was believed to have been bitten by a shark.

“The man was conveyed by vessel to shore, where he was met by SJA WA paramedics. Sadly, the man was unable to be revived.

“WA Police will prepare a report for the coroner.”

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development had been notified of the incident. It said it was working with local authorities and would provide further information.

Horseshoe Reef sits just over a kilometre off the north-west coast of Rottnest Island and is a popular snorkelling and diving spot, home to the Mira Flores, a 49-metre German iron barque that sank after hitting the reef in 1860.

Surf Life Saving WA said on social media a five-metre white shark was sighted at about 10am on Saturday morning 80 metres off shore.

Rottnest Island, also known as Wadjemup, is a protected reserve 19 kilometres off the coast of Fremantle. It is a popular holiday destination, famous for white sand beaches, clear water and quokkas.