Surfer Khai Cowley, 15, is named as victim of Ethel Beach, South Australia shark attack: Details emerge of final moments during paddle out with dad

Surfer Khai Cowley, 15, killed by white pointer on ThursdayTeenager was rising talent and won award two weeks agoREAD MORE: Teenager escapes Christmas Day shark attack

The talented teenage surfer killed in a shark attack at a remote beach in South Australia has been named as Khai Cowley, 15.

The youngster died after his leg was bitten off in the attack and he was pulled from the water near Ethel Beach in the Innes National Park, on the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia, about 1.30pm on Thursday.

Witnesses said the attack played out in front of his horrified father who had taken his son there from their home in Seaford, south of Adelaide, four hours away.

Just two weeks ago, Khai – ranked 146th under 18 surfer in Australia – had been named the ‘most outstanding grom performer’ by his local Seaview Road Board Riders surf club.

The talented teenage surfer killed in a shark attack in a remote beach in South Australia has been named as Khai Cowley, 15 (pictured)

The youngster died after his leg bitten off in the attack and he was pulled from the water near Ethel Beach in the Innes National Park, on the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia on Thursday

Just two weeks ago,Khai Cowley – ranked 146th under 18 across Australia – was named ‘most outstanding grom performer’ by his local Seaview Road Board Riders surf club (pictured)

‘The shark took his leg, and so another local guy ran out, jumped on his board and paddled out to help him,’ one local told the Adelaide Advertiser.

‘The shark was circling them as the guy pulled the boy out of the water. There was a lot of blood.

‘He brought him to shore but I think it was too late by then.’

Emergency services tried desperately to save the teen but his injuries were unsurvivable.

Friends have paid tribute to the youngster online, with one posting on social media: ‘Fly high Kai – lots of love and missing you already’.

His aunt Lauryn Barley has now set up a GoFundMe appeal to raise funds for the family in the wake of the tragedy.

‘Our beloved Khai was suddenly taken from us by a white pointer while surfing at Ethel Wreck off the coast of Yorke Penisula,’ she posted.

‘I’m here to try help raise funds for my sister, Kate and brother, Tim to cover the cost of the funeral service.’

A family friend added: ‘Life can change in a second and we are never prepared.

‘Our friend’s son and grandson Khai died yesterday in a shark attack which has not only rocked a family yet a whole community.

‘As a community we come together and this is one way we can support this family right now. Thank you for your kindness.’

Another added: ‘A boy with so much potential. He will hold a place in everyone’s heart.’

The shark attack, near Ethel Beach (pictured) in the Innes National Park, on the Yorke Peninsula, was reported to police at about 1.30pm on Thursday

A local fisherman said that large sharks are a common sight along Marion Bay at the Innes National Park.

‘We’ve seen some pretty big bronzies in the area, but that’s normal here,’ he said.

‘I went to take the boat out and the road to Ethel’s was blocked by rangers.

‘There’s no cell reception out there in the park so we didn’t know what had happened until we got back to Marion Bay.’

There have been several shark attacks around South Australia in recent months.

In mid-November, Bridgette O’Shannessy, 32, was attacked while swimming with her partner off a reef shelf at Port Noarlunga, south of Adelaide.

Ms O’Shannessy had to undergo two surgeries at Flinders Medical Centre after losing some of her teeth and suffering nerve damage.

Bridgette O’Shannessy, 32, (left) was attacked while swimming with her partner off a reef shelf at Port Noarlunga, south of Adelaide, in November while Tod Gendle, 55, (right) was killed by a four-metre great white while surfing near Granite Rock, close to Streaky Bay, on October 31

Her attack came just weeks after 55-year-old surfer Tod Gendle was mauled to death by a huge 4.2-metre Great White shark near Granite Rock south of Streaky Bay, SA.

Witnesses described the moment the shark launched at the surfer before he was dragged underwater by the animal.

South Australian woman Pamela Cook was also mauled by a shark at Beachport on October 2.

The 64-year-old was on her morning swim with local community group Beachport Sea Urchins and Slugs when she was attacked shortly before 8am.

Just months earlier in May, 46-year-old Elliston man Simon Baccanello was killed in a shark attack on Walkers Rocks Beach.

More to follow