Shark attack: man dies on Great Barrier Reef in far north Queensland

The 39-year-old was reportedly fishing at Kennedy Shoal between Cairns and Townsville when emergency services alerted about midday Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast A man has died after a shark attack on the Great Barrier Reef south of Cairns. The 39-year-old had reportedly been fishing at Kennedy Shoal, a shallow reef about 50km off the Queensland coast, between Cairns and Townsville. The area is popular for recreational fishing and diving. Emergency services were alerted about midday on Sunday and the man was taken back to the Hull River Heads boat ramp, near the town of Tully, in a critical condition. He died from his injuries soon after being brought ashore. Queensland police said it would prepare a report for the coroner “following the sudden and non-suspicious death of a 39-year-old man” in the Cassowary Coast area. “Emergency services were called to Hull River Heads boat ramp just before 12pm, following reports a man had been attacked by a shark while out at Kennedy Shoal. “The man was retrieved from the water and died from his injuries.” Shark attacks are infrequent but have occurred in reefs a