The monster shark who mauled a father to death as onlookers witnessed the terrifying encounter has been captured.
Sydney tourist Chris Davis who was holidaying in New Caledonia, sadly passed away after he was attacked by a shark while swimming just 150 metres from the shore in Noumea.
9News reported that Davis, a ‘keen triathlete’ who represented Australia multiple times, was caught on CCTV footage being mauled before people on jetskis hurled him back to shore.
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Lifesavers tried to resuscitate him for 20 minutes before the ambulance arrived; however, he died at the scene.
Public prosecutor Yves Dupas said Davis had suffered severe wounds on the thigh, hands and right arm, corresponding to at least two shark bites.
"The bite on the major thigh, extending 37 centimetres from the hip to the knee, caused a deep lesion with the section of the femoral artery," Dupas told reporters.
He added the second bite was ‘also fatal, according to the medical examiner, given the extent of the lesions, concerns the upper limbs, the forearm and the hands’.
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According to Yahoo! News, local authorities believe they have captured the four-metre tiger shark that killed the man.
Photos have emerged of the predator being lifted onboard a boat near where the father of three was attacked.
Following the 59-year-old's death, his family issued a statement to the media: "We are deeply mourning the loss of our beloved husband and father, Chris Davis.
"He is survived by his wife and three adult sons, who express their sincere gratitude to the New Caledonian authorities for the efforts in treating him and to the Australian and New Caledonian governments for aiding his return to Australia."
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They added: "We thank the media and the public during this difficult time for respecting the privacy of the family."
The beach has remained closed since the tragedy.
New Caledonia ranks 13th in the number of shark attacks, far behind destinations such as Australia (691 attacks), South Africa (260 attacks) and Hawaii (179 attacks), with significantly higher volumes of attacks.
Mr Davis’ death marks the third incident in three weeks, as per Newsweek.
On January 29, a 49-year-old swimmer was seriously injured by a shark in Noumea.
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A few days later, a surfer was attacked in the same region but escaped with no injuries.
The New Caledonia Travel website advises people to stay between the green flags and warns against swimming near ports, marinas, murky waters or river mouths.
Charisa Bossinakis