Disturbing find in search for missing shark attack victim
Police have found pieces of a wetsuit in waters near where a WA surfer has gone missing amid fears he’s been taken by a shark.
Andrew Sharpe, 52, went missing at Kelps Beds along Wylie Bay about 10.45am on Friday.
Mr Sharpe was surfing with a group of friends when he was thrown into the air by the shark before being bitten and pulled under water.
On Sunday, police released the first image of Mr Sharpe. It comes just a day after they revealed pieces of a wetsuit were found.
Police are yet to confirm if the wetsuit belongs to the missing surfer.
His board was also found with bite marks on it. It’s now in the possession of the Department of Fisheries who are analysing it.
Ross Tamlin told 7News he watched on as Mr Sharpe was attacked, adding he’s “never seen a dorsal fin that big on a shark before”.
Sunday is day three of the search for Mr Sharpe.
The State Emergency Service, Surf Life Saving WA and local council officials are among other services assisting.
Kelp Beds Beach was the site of a deadly shark mauling in 2017 when 17-year-old surfer Laeticia Brouwer was killed.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said WA's south coast, particularly around Esperance, was a known breeding ground for great white sharks and home to large seal colonies.
He said the government had taken extra safety measures to protect swimmers and surfers including helicopter patrols, monitoring stations and subsidised shark shields.
However there was always an element of risk when entering the water, he said.
The Shire of Esperance has closed beaches from Wylie Head to Cape Le Grand National Park.
with AAP
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