Man killed by shark while swimming off Perth suburb beach

A man in his 60s was fatally attacked by a shark while swimming off Sorrento Beach in Perth's northern suburbs on Friday, police said. Authorities deployed boats and helicopters to search the water, though they have not confirmed whether any remains have been recovered. The police statement affirmed that the victim died as a result of the attack.

Witnesses reported seeing a pool of blood in the water. One observer, Darrel Haythornthwaite, told Nine Network that the victim was swimming with a friend who later expressed remorse, saying, "I didn't save my mate." Another beachgoer, Jacqui Rapaic, said she saw the blood and heard a companion identify a possible shark attack.

The beach was closed to swimmers while the investigation continued. Police have not released the victim's name.

The incident adds to a series of recent shark encounters in Australia, including a serious leg injury to a surfer near Geraldton and five fatal shark attacks nationwide this year. The Australian Shark Incident Database records an average of two to three fatal attacks annually since 2000.