The father of a young girl who lost her life to a shark attack has shared the poignant moment he learned of her passing.
Charlize Zmuda, who was only 17, was fatally attacked by a shark earlier this week in Queensland, Australia.
The incident took place shortly before 5pm local time, and despite her role as a surf lifesaver, Charlize succumbed to her injuries.
Her grieving parents have since paid tribute to her following the tragic event.
“When I got the tragic news yesterday, I was extremely gutted,” her father, Steve Zmuda said, according to 9News.
“But something my wife and I want to say is we don’t want people to stop coming to the beach and enjoying our beach.
“Charlize was a member of our club since she was eight years old.
“She was a dedicated lifesaver who wanted to only do the best for our club and all the people in our community.”
Her mother, Renee, also described Charlize as ‘a shining light who truly touched the lives of everyone she met’.
Steve also recounted the moment he found out the victim of the shark attack was his daughter.
He knew about the attack and began contacting people to gather more information.
While on a call with a friend, he was informed that it was Charlize who had died.
“I said, ‘You’re joking’,” Steve recalled his initial response.
“I screamed, all the neighbors came running out.”
He then attempted to call his wife, but found it hard to express what had happened.
“Steve couldn’t talk and I didn’t know what was going on,” Renee told The Courier Mail, “I screamed at him ‘just tell me!'”
“I knew it was bad because he couldn’t speak,” she added.
After learning of Charlize’s death, Renee went to the beach where the attack occurred to see her daughter.
The distraught mother expressed: “I just needed to see her… because I didn’t want it to be real.”
In response to Charlize’s death, Surf Life Saving Queensland, of which she was a member, released a statement on social media.
Part of the statement read: “A 17-year-old member of the Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club was fatally attacked by a shark. She and her family have been a cherished part of the surf lifesaving community, and our hearts are broken.
“Surf lifesaving is built on family and community, and today we mourn this devastating loss. On behalf of all members, we wrap our hearts and minds around her family, friends, Club, and all those affected. No words can ease the pain, but we stand together, offering our deepest sympathies and support.”
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].