Shark-attack victim loses fight for life

Surfer, fly-in, fly-out worker and father to be Ben Gerring has been remembered as a “man of the sea” after losing his fight for life on Friday night as a result of injuries received during a shark attack in Falcon last week.

Mr Gerring, who had surfed at Gearies break since he was a child, was believed to be attacked by great white shark about 4pm on May 31.

Fellow surfers courageously dragged Mr Gerring back to shore after he lost consciousness when his right leg was severed above the knee.

He was taken to Royal Perth Hospital but succumbed to his injuries on Friday night.

Mr Gerring and his partner, Jasmine Boyer, were expecting a baby and the fly-in, fly-out mine workers had bought a home together in Falcon.

After the attack, close friend Shane Hartnup said he and Mr Gerring had surfed together since they were teenagers.

“He loved the water, very confident — he likes big waves too,” Mr Hartnup said.

“He’s been in the water with sharks around but nothing like this.”

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Mr Gerring’s family issued a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in his rescue.

“The bravery and efforts of his rescuers and the care provided by the doctors and nurses has been amazing,” the family said.

“We would also like to thank family and friends for their messages of love and support, they are greatly appreciated.”

At the time of the incident, witnesses said Mr Gerring had been about 20m further out to sea than most of the other surfers when he was attacked as he waited for a wave.

Fellow surfer and friend Sheldon Spencer said he heard Mr Gerring’s cries of pain and pleas for help.

“When I looked out towards where Ben was, the water was like a cloud of blood,” he said.

“But I thought he was OK because I thought I saw his arms paddling and moving and I saw two guys moving towards him.

“I thought he had been knocked off his board or just slightly cut.”

Unfortunately, the reality was much worse.

When Mr Gerring was placed in an induced coma, a GoFundMe page was set up to help him and his fiancée.

In just a few days since his death, more than $40,000 has been donated by friends, surfers and strangers to help the grieving family.

In response to the attack, the Department of Fisheries captured and killed a “suspect” great white shark off the same beach using a baited drum line.

The shark’s death drew mixed reactions from observers on the beach and across the State.

Onlookers criticised the State Government’s approach, labelling efforts to kill the shark that attacked Mr Gerring as futile.

Meanwhile, others called for the State Government to adopt Eastern States-like policies, which include shark nets.

In a separate incident, a 60-year-old woman became the second victim of a fatal shark attack in less than a week when she was mauled by a white pointer off Mindarie on Sunday.