A human leg found washed up on beach belonged to a missing diver who may have been eaten by sharks.
Andrew Page, 38, was diving with friends off the coast of Bundaberg in Queensland, Australia, when he failed to suface.
Rescue workers spent days searching a 350-mile area of water and coast land, but the search was called off on November 29.
Three weeks after the rescue operation ended, a human leg washed up on a beach 460 miles south of Elliott Heads - where Andrew had first vanished.
Forensic analysis confirmed last night the leg belonged to Mr Page, and fears are now growing he may have been attacked by a shark.
His heartbroken parents, Robert and Colleen, said they were not able to confirm the exact cause of death, but said their son "belonged to the ocean", reports 9News.
They said: "An experienced free-diver and spear fisherman, Drew’s heart belonged to the ocean. He used to say his gills were drying up whenever he was away from the water for too long.
“We take small comfort in knowing that he will never have to feel that again."
They said Andrew was taught to dive by his father and had been diving since the age of eight.
His parents added: "Drew had an inspiring love of life and contagious excitement for adventure.
"He was well known for his kind-heartedness and bubbly personality."
In October, two British men were attacked by a shark while snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.
Alistair Raddon, 28, from Southampton, lost his foot while swimming off Hook Island in eastern Auatralia.
Danny Maggs , 22, from Plymouth, also suffered lacerations to his right calf in attack.
The pair had been swimming at a popular tourist spot on the Whitsunday Islands chain.
Fortunately two German passengers on board ZigZag's tour guide boat - which was close to Mr Raddon and Mr Maggs - were paramedics.
They provided the Brits with emergency first aid.
Tracey Eastwick, manager of operations for Queensland Ambulance Service, said: "It was fortunate that we understand there was two German paramedics on-board the vessel at the time, who were able to render first aid.
"Certainly any first aid in those sorts of circumstances, with those injuries, is extremely important."
