• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Hundreds pay tribute to 15-year-old surfer mauled to death in 'nightmare' shark attack

Home> News> World News

Published 09:18 23 Jan 2024 GMT

Hundreds pay tribute to 15-year-old surfer mauled to death in 'nightmare' shark attack

Hundreds have attended a vigil at an Australian beach in memory of 15-year-old surfer Khai Cowley.

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

Hundreds have paid tribute to a 15-year-old surfer who was killed in a horror shark attack by gathering at his favorite beach.

Khai Cowley's body was pulled from a popular beach in Australia on 28 December, 2023, 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 said his horrified father looked on in disbelief.

Advert

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.

Khai tragically died last month.
Facebook/Khai Cowley

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.

Advert

"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."

Huge crowds gathered at Seaford on Monday (22 January) to honour Khai, including his heartbroken father, as the local council said more than 500 guests were set to attend the vigil.

Mourners carried the 15-year-old's coffin through a guard of honour, as Khai's younger brother, Jett, walked ahead holding his surfboard.

Advert

Jett paid tribute to the 'best big brother ever' in an emotional funeral.

Tim Cowley, Khai's father, said: "It’s so cruel that he’s been taken from us at such a young age."

Speaking of his love for surfing, Cowley added: "Most of the time it was beyond my ability, leaving me no choice but to sit on the beach and watch my beautiful boy do what he loved.

The funeral was understandably an emotional affair.
9News

Advert

"We miss you so much. You filled our lives with so many beautiful memories. I’m so sorry it went the way it did," the emotional parent concluded.

Flowers, shells and photographs of Khai with his nearest and dearest decorate a wooden bench facing the water, while the rest of the beach was lined with flowers and touching messages from Khai’s surfer friends.

According to the MailOnline, one of these messages read: "Forever in our hearts Khai. It has been a pleasure sharing the waves with you over the years and I will miss you so much. Forever a much-loved bowl rat."

Khai was destined to reach the top in surfing, ranking as the 146th under 18 surfer in Australia before his tragic death.

Featured Image Credit: 9News

Topics: Australia, News, World News, Shark

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Dad watched on in horror as 13ft shark killed his surfer son in 'nightmare' attack
  • Woman details horrifying moment shark bit through her leg in back-to-back attack leaving her ‘bone exposed’
  • Terrifying clip shows moment surfer gets leg ripped off by great white shark just before it washed ashore
  • Pro surfer's leg washes up on shore after horrifying shark attack

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Man issues major warning after ignoring 'no sex' rule following hair transplant surgery

    The Welshman said his face looked as if it had been 'punched' hours after doing the deed

    News
  • an hour ago

    Trump slams 'weakling' supporters after they lose 'trust' in him over Epstein files amid missing footage and 'hoax' theories

    President Donald Trump has slammed his MAGA supporters for criticizing his administration

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Mom received heartbreaking diagnosis after not being able to stand when trying to pick up her kids

    Salym Liufau's symptoms quickly escalated within a matter of weeks

    News
  • 3 hours ago

    3 cities at risk of being swallowed if ‘Doomsday Glacier’ melts after experts issued terrifying warning

    The cities are in completely different parts of the world but would all be impacted by the Doomsday Glacier

    News