A church and family members are mourning the death of a beloved youth pastor in Australia after he was killed by a shark while spearfishing. 40-year-old Luke Walford, a youth pastor at Cathedral of Praise church in Rockhampton, Queensland was spearfishing on Humpy Island in the Great Barrier Reef’s Keppel Bay Islands National Park when he was fatally bitten on the neck. “The man was fishing with family members when he was bitten by a shark,” Queensland state police said in a statement. Walford died at the scene at 6pm, about an hour and a half after receiving the bite, despite repeated attempts by paramedics to revive him.

The community mourned Walford’s death, with family friend Doug Webber describing how he had seen the rescue helicopter headed to Walford. “I always say a little tribute for whoever it may be, but to find out it was Luke was a very sad day,” he said. Walford’s church paid tribute to him, describing his love of spearfishing as something he had inherited from his father. The poster described having dedicated Walford as a baby and called him a “beloved figure” of the church. “Though our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in the promises of God. We know that Luke is now with the Lord, resting in His presence because of God’s exceedingly great and precious promises. Luke was a man who truly loved God and loved people. Today, we rejoice that he is in the arms of his Saviour.” The church’s pastor, Claude Fingleton, called Walford “greatly loved.” “This was a young man who loved people, who loved God,” he said.

Donna Kirkland, the Rockhampton representative in the Queensland state Parliament and a family friend, described her disbelief. “We are all very much still in shock… He was an inspirational leader as a children’s and youth pastor. My prayers and heartfelt condolences are with his beautiful family and indeed the many who will be devastated, as I am, at this news.”  Tributes from congregants described Walford as “generous” and a “quiet person with a strong faith and a deep commitment to the Lord.” Walford leaves behind numerous family members, including his wife and mother. No details have been released yet about the type of shark that is suspected of killing Walford. He is the first fatal shark attack victim in Australia since December 2023.