Hawaii lifeguard dies in shark attack while surfing off Oahu

A professional lifeguard has died after he was attacked by a shark while surfing off the island of Oahu in Hawaii, authorities said.

Tamayo Perry, 49, died in the attack near Goat Island, Shayne Enright of the Honolulu emergency services department said.

Honolulu Ocean Safety and the city’s fire, police and emergency medical services departments responded to Malaekahana Beach on Oahu’s North Shore just before 1pm after a caller reported seeing a man who appeared to have suffered shark bites, Mr Enright said.

Lifeguards brought Mr Perry to shore by jet ski, where he was pronounced dead by paramedics.

Mr Perry, who worked as a lifeguard on the North Shore, began his career with the Ocean Safety department in July 2016, Mr Enright said.

Ocean Safety personnel posted shark warnings in the area following the attack.

Honolulu Ocean Safety acting chief Kurt Lager said Mr Perry was “a lifeguard loved by all”.

“He’s well known on the North Shore. He’s a professional surfer known worldwide,” Mr Lager said at a news conference. “Tamayo’s personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.”

Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi said: “Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected,” and called Mr Perry’s death “a tragic loss”.