Diver killed by huge shark

A charter boat deck hand was killed by a six metre (20ft) shark as he snorkelled with tourists off the west Australian coast today, it was reported.

The man was killed instantly early in the afternoon off the Abrolhos Islands group about 400 kilometres (250 miles) north of the Western Australia state capital, Perth, media reported.

“A 26-year-old deck hand was in the sea snorkelling with passengers of the vessel when he was seen to be taken by a large shark described as being approximately six metres (20 feet) in length,” an unnamed police spokesman told Australian Associated Press.

“It would appear that he died instantly. His body has not been recovered,” he added.

Police and government officials were travelling to the scene to investigate the attack and try to recover the body.

The spokesman said it was not clear how many passengers and crew were aboard the boat but no one else was attacked or injured.