A 57-year-old man, believed to be originally from the UK, has been the victim of a shark attack on Australia’s west coast, it is believed.
The search for Paul Millachip, who was swimming at Port Beach near Perth on Saturday, has been wound down.
His wife, who did not wish to be named, told Australian broadcasters that the family had lost a “wonderful father” as she expressed her thanks for the efforts of teenagers on a nearby boat who had helped raise the alarm.
Speaking yesterday (Sunday, November 8), she said: “A special mention to those young lads in the boat for what they did in what must have been an absolutely terrifying experience for them, so my heart goes out to them and I thank them for what they did.
“Rest in peace, Paul. He died what he enjoyed doing the most which was exercising.
“He was a wonderful man, a wonderful father, and he loved his exercise.”
Acting inspector Troy Douglas said: “Enquiries will continue based on anything that is washed up or anything that’s found in the future, but at this point the marine search is suspended.”
Mrs Millachip described the pain of losing her husband, a father of two, as “very hard.”
She was in Port Beach’s changing rooms when the shark struck.
The couple would exercise at the beach strip two or three times a week, she said.
Mr Millachip is believed to have been taken by a 14ft great white shark at 10.05am on Saturday, about 50 metres off Port Beach.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
