Mercury Psillakis, 57, was browsing with a number of pals about 100 metres off Lengthy Reef in Dee Why when he was bitten by what police described as a “massive” shark about 10am in the present day.
Northern Seashores Police Space Commander Superintendent John Duncan mentioned Psillakis suffered catastrophic accidents and misplaced a number of limbs.
Psillakis and his board disappeared earlier than he was discovered floating within the water.
Surfers pulled him to shore however, regardless of efforts to save lots of his life, he had misplaced lots of blood and died on the scene.
Psillakis’ spouse and daughter rushed to the seaside after listening to the information. His brother, Mike, arrived shortly after.
“We perceive he leaves behind a spouse and a younger daughter, and tomorrow being Father’s Day, it is significantly important and tragic,” Duncan mentioned.
Psillakis was an skilled surfer who lived within the space and by no means missed a morning out on the waves.
Sean Pearce paid tribute to his buddy, who lived life travelling the world, browsing, spending time along with his household and dealing.
“He was a superb bloke to everybody. You could not discover somebody to say a foul phrase about him,” Pearce mentioned.
“After I grew up, he was all the time one to assist out the grommets.”
Authorities supplied their condolences to Psillakis’ household and the broader tight-knit neighborhood.
“There was a tragic lack of life on certainly one of our seashores, and our deepest condolences in the present day are with the person’s household and pals,” Northern Seashores Council mentioned.
Premier Chris Minns mentioned this was an “terrible tragedy”.
“My coronary heart goes out to the sufferer’s household and pals,” he mentioned in a press release.
“I additionally need to thank the primary responders and neighborhood members who tried to assist in such robust and confronting circumstances.
“Shark assaults are uncommon, however they depart an enormous mark on everybody concerned, significantly the close-knit browsing neighborhood.”
Duncan mentioned the assault was a “freak incident that occurs very, very not often”.
A number of individuals had been on the seaside and its surrounds throughout the time of the assault, together with opponents in a junior surf competitors.
Seashores from Narrabeen to Manly have since been closed, and can stay so for a minimum of 24 hours.
Dee Why is anticipated to stay closed for as much as 76 hours.
Authorities had been out within the water looking for the shark, however had been unable to take action.
Police and shark biologists from the Division of Main Industries are analyzing the physique, two sections of a surfboard that had been recovered and talking with witnesses to find out the species of shark concerned.
Sydneysiders are urged to keep away from seashores within the space as lifeguards maintain individuals from coming into the water.
Drone operators can be scanning the water for any indicators of shark exercise.
“Volunteers will proceed to help council and authorities to guard the general public from additional hazard in any approach we are able to,” Pearce mentioned.
“For now, please stay away from the water at seashores within the neighborhood and comply with the course of lifeguards and lifesavers.”
Authorities supplied their condolences to the sufferer’s household and the broader neighborhood.
“There was a tragic lack of life on certainly one of our seashores, and our deepest condolences in the present day are with the person’s household and pals,” Northern Seashores Council mentioned.
“Our deepest condolences go to the household of the person concerned on this horrible tragedy,” Surf Life Saving NSW chief government Steve Pearce mentioned.
“The NSW authorities’s ideas are with the chunk sufferer, their household and the primary responders,” a spokesperson for the Division of Main Industries mentioned.
Shark assaults in Sydney are extremely uncommon, with just one recorded fatality previously 60 years.
The shark was confirmed later to be an important white.
Shark nets got here up for the season throughout 51 seashores between Newcastle and Wollongong on Monday.
There is a shark web in place off Dee Why Seashore.
Three shark drumlines had been set at Dee Why this morning, as per regular apply.
Crews have put in two extra drumlines between Lengthy Reef and Dee Why.
The Division of Main Industries mentioned sharks are current within the state all yr spherical however could be extra prevalent in an space due to climate, ocean circumstances and availability of meals.
