Great white shark kills spearfishing diver: "Horrific event"
A great white shark fatally attacked a diver off Rottnest Island in Australia, marking the second fatal shark incident in the country this year. The victim, identified as Steven Mattaboni, was spearfishing with friends when the attack occurred. His family expressed their heartbreak over the loss, highlighting the impact on his young children.
- ▪The attack occurred on a coral reef near Rottnest Island.
- ▪The victim was 38 years old and was spearfishing with friends at the time of the incident.
- ▪This is Australia's second fatal shark attack in 2026, following a previous incident in January.
- ▪The state's Department of Primary Industries confirmed the involvement of a great white shark.
- ▪Australia has averaged more than three fatal shark attacks per year in recent decades.
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World Great white shark kills spearfishing diver in Australia: "Horrific event" Updated on: May 18, 2026 / 6:22 AM EDT / CBS/AP Add CBS News on Google A shark fatally mauled a diver off an Australian tourist island on Saturday, police said, marking the country's second fatal shark attack so far this year.The 38-year-old man had been spearfishing with friends when he was attacked on a coral reef off Rottnest Island near Australia's southwest coast, Western Australia Police Sergeant Michael Wear said."The friends have witnessed the horrific event," Wear said.The victim was near a dive boat when he was bitten on the legs, Wear said.
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