A father witnessed a tragic event as his son, a passionate surfer, was killed by a 13-foot shark at a well-frequented Australian beach.
Fifteen-year-old Khai Cowley was retrieved from Ethel Beach in Australia last December, shortly following the catastrophic incident.
This attack occurred in Innes National Park, deeply affecting the local community.
Khai’s leg was severed by the shark, and onlookers reported his father watching in total despair.
His father had taken him to the beach post-Christmas to allow him to hone his surfing skills.
Tragically, the outing ended in sorrow, with a witness recounting the event to the Adelaide Advertiser.
The witness said: “The shark took his leg, and so another local guy ran out, jumped on his board and paddled out to help him.
“The shark was circling them as the guy pulled the boy out of the water. There was a lot of blood.
“He brought him to shore but I think it was too late by then.”
In January, a large congregation gathered at Khai’s cherished Seaford beach for his funeral, including his grieving father. The local council announced that over 500 guests were expected to attend the memorial.
Mourners carried Khai’s coffin through a guard of honor, while his younger brother, Jett, led the way with his surfboard.
Jett delivered a heartfelt tribute to his ‘best big brother ever’ during the ceremony.
Tim Cowley, Khai’s father, expressed: “It’s so cruel that he’s been taken from us at such a young age.”
Referring to Khai’s passion for surfing, his father said: “Most of the time it was beyond my ability, leaving me no choice but to sit on the beach and watch my beautiful boy do what he loved.
“We miss you so much. You filled our lives with so many beautiful memories. I’m so sorry it went the way it did.”
A GoFundMe page was established in Khai’s honor, with his aunt, Lauryn Barley, noting that Khai was ‘suddenly taken … by a white pointer at Ethel Wreck’.
“I’m here to try to help raise funds for my sister, Kate, and brother, Tim, to cover the cost of the funeral service,” a family friend shared with the donation. “Life can change in a second and we are never prepared.”
Many believed Khai was on a path to excel in surfing, as he was ranked 146th among under-18 surfers in Australia prior to his untimely demise.