Woman, 21, dies after shark attack

A WOMAN screamed out the warning "shark" as she was mauled underwater - but her friends thought she was joking, police said yesterday.

Sarah Whiley, 21, died on Saturday night of severe injuries after being attacked near North Stradbroke Island, east of the Queensland state capital Brisbane.

Whiley was swimming with a group of friends from a church group when she was pulled underwater for about five seconds then emerged and called out "Shark!" said Queensland police inspector Peter Harding.