Horror as fisherman dies in shark attack on one of Australia’s most scenic Great Barrier Reef islands

A man has died after he was attacked by a shark while fishing with his family. 

Emergency services were called to Humpy Island in the Keppel Bay Islands National Park, about 18km off the central Queensland coast, on Saturday following reports a man had been attacked.

The 40-year-old was bitten by the shark while fishing with family members about 4.30pm, a Queensland Police spokesman told AAP.

A helicopter was sent to the scene with a medical team on board but they were unable to save the man. 

He suffered extensive injuries to his neck and despite efforts by paramedics to save his life, the man died just before 6pm.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

This latest attack is the worst in a string of other shark attacks which have taken place in recent months.  

The incident is the latest in a string of shark attacks since September (stock image) 

One man in his 60s who was bitten by a shark while spearfishing off Curtis Island at 8.25am on December 2.

The man suffered minor to moderate wounds to his forearms and bystanders performed first aid to quell the bleeding while paramedics arrived. 

Another 57-year-old woman was attacked while snorkelling on a reef about 200km off Mackay’s coast at 4.30pm onOctober 30.

She sustained two 30cm bite wounds to her calf and it took more than eight hours to get her back to shore. 

Bystanders again performed first aid on the woman and the Australian Navy assisted in getting her back to the mainland.