A commercial diver has been killed in an horrific shark attack in New Zealand.
Jade Kahukore-Dixon, 24, was mauled off the Chatham Islands, about 800km east of the South Island, at midday on Tuesday.
A police spokesman confirmed a man died in hospital after a shark attack, Stuff reported
‘Emergency services were called around midday, following reports the man – who had been diving off a boat – had been critically injured,’ he said.
‘He was rushed to Chatham Island Hospital, but has since died.’
Mr Kahukore-Dixon’s father, Jacky Dixon, said his son was an ‘amazing boy’ who loved fishing and diving.
He said he only had limited information about the tragic death of his son, but was told he’d been killed by a great white shark.
Mr Dixon said his son was ‘very tough, young fella’ who from a young age had ‘loved fishing and diving.’
Jade Kahukore-Dixon, 24 (pictured), a commercial diver has been killed by a shark in the Chatham Islands about 860km east of Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island
He said his son often saw great white sharks, but was unafraid of them.
‘He thought he was one with the ocean,’ Mr Dixon said.
Following the attack, Mr Kahukore-Dixon was brought to Waitangi Wharf in the main port and largest settlement of the Chatham Islands, before being rushed to hospital.
He said his son would normally hold his breath and hide behind rocks in the water if he saw a shark.
Mr Dixon said his son narrowly escaped death while swimming four years ago.
‘His mate was timing him and thought “nah he’s gone down there for too long”,’ he said.
‘His mate jumped in, swam down there and Jade’s foot was stuck under a rock. He couldn’t get out and his mate freed his foot and got him up and saved his life.’
Chatham Islands mayor Monique Croon said she knew the victim.
‘He’s a local boy. He’s well-known, well-liked and this will be pretty devastating for our commercial divers,’ she told NewstalkZB.
Mr Kahukore-Dixon was brought to Waitangi wharf in the main port and largest settlement of the Chatham Islands, before being rushed to hospital. Waitangi is pictured
‘It’s the biggest risk – the biggest fear.
‘I flew off the island this morning but many in our community are divers, so everybody is in shock.’
She said the diving community had rushed to Chatham Island Hospital to offer support.
Shark researcher Kina Scollay survived an attack from a great white shark while free diving off the Chatham Islands.
The Chatham Islands consist of ten islands located around 860 km east of Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island.
The islands are inhabited by almost 800 people.
Mr Scollay said the fatality was ‘incredibly tragic and incredibly sad’.
He said shark attacks in the waters surrounding the Chatham Islands were rare.
The species of shark involved has not been formerly identified.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
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