A 60-year-old surfer was fatally mauled by a 10-foot great white shark off Salt Beach in South Kingscliff on Sunday morning, despite the courageous efforts of two bystanders who fought off the predator to save him.
Rob Pedretti, a tradesman from Tugun, Queensland, was attacked just after 10am while surfing. He suffered a devastating bite to the back of his left thigh, resulting in catastrophic injuries. Fellow surfers brought him to shore, where he received immediate first aid but was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Tweed-Byron police praised the extraordinary bravery of two men who intervened during the attack. Inspector Matt Kehoe described their actions as “nothing short of heroic,” noting that the pair had to physically fight off the shark before helping to get Pedretti onto a surfboard and paddling him to safety.
“They got him on one of the boards and tried to stabilise him and take him to shore,” Kehoe said. “Sadly, he was deceased at the scene. He suffered a significant bite to his left thigh. It was a catastrophic injury.”
The inspector added that emergency services and those involved faced an incredibly difficult situation. “It’s terrible – terrible for his family and obviously quite difficult for the emergency services that attended the scene.”
Shark had been sighted multiple times
Authorities confirmed the shark responsible for the attack had been sighted on several occasions in the area prior to the incident. A shark biologist, after assessing photographs, verified that a great white shark was involved, according to the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries.
New South Wales Ambulance Inspector Terence Savage described the response as harrowing. “When you get a call to attend a shark attack, you never really know the full extent of the damage until you get on scene,” he said. “They did everything they could to try and save his life, but despite their best efforts, were unable to do so.”
In the wake of the tragedy, nearby beaches were immediately cleared of swimmers and surfers and remained closed for 24 hours as a precaution.
A “humble, ocean-loving soul”
Tributes have poured in for Pedretti, who was remembered fondly by friends as a passionate surfer and traveler.
One friend described him as a “humble, ocean-loving soul” who “surfed a lot, travelled a lot … a lone ranger.” Another called him “Robbo,” a “champion bloke, nicest guy you would ever meet.”
“Apparently the boys tried to fight the shark off but he didn’t make it to the beach in time,” the friend added.
Third fatal shark attack in Australia this year
This incident marks the third fatal shark attack in Australian waters in 2026. In January, a diver was killed near Esperance off the coast of Western Australia. In April, a 23-year-old wildlife worker was fatally mauled by a shark on the Great Barrier Reef.
The frequency of such encounters continues to highlight the inherent risks associated with ocean activities in regions known for large shark populations, even as authorities work to balance public safety with the marine environment.
Pedretti’s death has sent shockwaves through the local surfing community, serving as a sobering reminder of the power of the ocean and the bravery required when nature turns unforgiving. Police have indicated that the two men who fought to save him will be formally recognised for their heroism in the coming days.