Talented teenage surfer killed in 'nightmare' shark attack
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Khai Cowley
A talented teenage surfer killed in a 'nightmare' shark attack has been named as 15-year-old Khai Cowley.
The teen's body was pulled from a popular beach in Australia on Thursday (28 December), minutes after a devastating attack.
The horrid incident occurred near Ethel Beach in the Innes National Park, bringing huge devastation to his family and the whole local community.
Khai's leg was bitten off by the shark, as witnesses say his horrified father looked on in disbelief.
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The dad had treated his teenage son to a trip to the beach to practice his surf skills, as they travelled four hours from their home in Seaford, Adelaide.
One person who witnessed the harrowing ordeal just days after Christmas spoke to the Adelaide Advertiser.
They said: "The shark took his leg, and so another local guy ran out, jumped on his board and paddled out to help him.
"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."
Surfing South Australia offered their condolences to Khai's family while also paying tribute to the talented surfer.
They said in a statement: "We are devastated to learn that a young, talented and dearly loved member of our surfing community, was the surfer involved in the attack at Ethel Beach, and are absolutely shattered to hear that the incident was fatal.
"Our utmost deepest sympathies are with his family."
A GoFundMe page has since been set up in Khai's memory, with his aunt, Lauryn Barley writing the boy was 'suddenly taken ... by a white pointer at Ethel Wreck'.
Many family and friends have since donated to the page, with close to US $40,000 raised at the time of writing.
"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 posted alongside the donation. "Life can change in a second and we are never prepared."
While another added: "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."
Khai was destined to reach the top in surfing, ranking as the 146th under 18 surfer in Australia before his tragic death.