Tributes for Aussie man killed on Nouméa holiday as monster shark caught

The Sydney man mauled to death by a shark in New Caledonia is being remembered as a beloved husband and father of three while authorities say they’ve caught the beast that killed him.

Chris Davis, a “keen triathlete” who represented Australia at world championships, as reported by Nine News, was swimming about 150 metres off shore at Chateau Royal Beach in Noumea when he was attacked on Sunday.

CCTV from a resort captured the terrifying moment the 59-year-old was struck, before two people on a jetski could be seen rushing to the rescue.

Pulling Mr Davis from the water, they carried him back to shore where lifesavers tried desperately to save him before paramedics arrived. But tragically, suffering severe leg and arm injuries, he died at the scene.

Family ‘deeply mourning’ loss

Speaking from Australia, his family say they are “deeply mourning the loss” of their “beloved husband and father”.

“Chris was a senior software program consultant in the superannuation and funds management industry and a keen triathlete, having represented Australia several times in age group world championship events,” they said in a statement to media.

“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.”

They also thanked the media and public during this difficult time for “respecting the privacy of the family”.

Killer shark caught

Local authorities believe they’ve captured the four metre tiger shark that attacked Mr Davis on the weekend.

Photos have been shared of the shark on board a boat in waters near where the father-of-three was attacked.

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Mr Davis’s death comes just three weeks after a local woman lost part of her leg, one hand and four fingers from the other hand in a shark attack at the same beach.

Bridgette Do, 49, was flown to Sydney’s Westmead Hospital for emergency treatment last month after she was bitten by a shark on her daily swim, Nine News reported.

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