Source : Perth Now news
A teenage nephew of Albany shark attack victim Daniel Turpin steered the family boat back to shore as his grandfather desperately tended to the injured spearfisher.
Albany Mayor Greg Stocks on Monday revealed more details of Saturday’s fatal fishing trip and the gloom that Mr Turpin’s loss has cast over the regional city.
“The Turpin family had been here for decades and are highly respected in community, sporting and business fields, and there will be so many people in Albany who are connected to the Turpin family who will feel this loss gravely,” Mr Stocks said.
“It’s a devastating event, and the community needs to rally around his immediate family and give them support and we will be doing that at the city. We will do everything we can to support the family.”
Mr Turpin was spearfishing with family members near Michaelmas Island on Saturday morning, about 13km off the Albany coast, when he was fatally mauled by a suspected 4.5m shark about 11.20am.
The 35-year-old was rushed back to the Albany marina where he was met by paramedics, but sadly could not be saved.
Mr Stocks said the actions of Mr Turpin’s father Wayne and his 14-year-old nephew who were at sea with him when the tragic attack happened on Saturday were to be commended.
“It’s unbelievable that a 14-year-old person who is in that dire circumstance was able to stand up to the pressure and the reality of what he was facing and make a big contribution to try and save Daniel’s life,” Ms Stocks said.
“I can’t imagine what they were going through, his family should be very proud of him.”
Mr Turpin had as a lifelong love and deep respect for the ocean, his family said in a statement on Sunday. Read their full tribute in The West Australian here.
