Shark victim's family warned - 7 year Old NZ Girl Killed by Great White Shark

New Zealand Herald ^ | 6/25/05 | Angela Gregory

[Mongeaux]

A teacher in Vanuatu says he twice warned the family of the New Zealand girl killed by a shark not to get into the water.

Lapen Tilison told the Weekend Herald from Atchin Island that he always warned visiting yachties to stay out of the water where 7-year-old Alysha Webster of Coromandel Peninsula was fatally bitten.

Mr Tilison had paddled out in a canoe to Alysha's parents' yacht just after it pulled into the attractive white, sandy bay where he lived, shortly before lunchtime on Wednesday.

"They had just dropped the anchor and jumped in for a swim," he said. "I went out and introduced myself and told them it was not safe to swim in the sea."

Mr Tilison said he made it clear that fishing boats came into the bay to wash down, and the strong smell attracted sharks.

A fishing boat was at the beach that day doing just that, he said.

"I told them not to swim because here we do not swim in the salt water. We swim in the fresh water, not on the beach."

Mr Tilison said he invited the family, from Whenuakite near Whitianga, to relax onshore instead.

He said there were local children in the water but they were close to shore where it was safe.

They got out of the water and had lunch, but afterwards went for another swim.

Mr Tilison said he went back to the boat to warn them again.

He heard Alysha ask her mother if she could go for a swim.

"Her mummy said, 'It's not safe' ... but she went for a swim ... after 10 minutes the shark attacked."

Mr Tilison, aged 40, said this was the fourth death he remembered, the last three years ago.

He had lived on Atchin Island all his life and had five children, who all knew not to swim in the sea.

"We are really, really down in our hearts because we told them not to swim."

Mr Tilison said just two days earlier locals saw a great white shark in the area. "It was a very big one ... they thought it was the same one."

About 1000 people lived on Atchin Island and the death had shocked the villagers, he said.

"We really mourn for that little girl because she died on our island, and we are very sorry for her."

A local tour operator on the mainland, Peter Fidelio, said tourists were always warned not to swim on Atchin Island.

"People here realise it's not safe."

The Lonely Planet guide warns visitors that Malekula's waters teem with sharks, especially along the east coast.

The shark attack has dominated the front page of Vanuatu's only daily newspaper, the Vanuatu Daily Post.

The Daily Post said the provincial Government planned to hold an emergency meeting to discuss setting up warning signs in the areas sharks were known to frequent.

- additional reporting: Elizabeth Binning in Port Vila

[Mongeaux]

I have a 7 year old daughter and I can't imagine something like that happening to her. That poor girl. They should hunt that thing down and kill it.

[Mongeaux]

Ok I did a bit more digging: they are not absolutely certain the child was killed by a Great White. My apologies.

[TADSLOS]

Sounds to me like the parents were given fair warning. The shark is gonna do what sharks have always done.

[tahotdog]

You'd only have to exterminate three or four species of sharks, and there's never be another shark attack on a human. "Scientists" would still have 297 species of the ****ing things to "study".

[tet68]

Why? Because it was hungry?

[teenyelliott]

They should hunt down those ignorant parents and charge them with neglect.

Morons. And it cost their baby her life.

I hope they are racked with life ruining guilt for the rest of their days.

[Clara Lou]

They should hunt that thing down and kill it.
No, they should stay out of the sea just as Tilison and the people of the island do. What good is it going to do to kill the shark?

[No Blue States]

"Her mummy said, 'It's not safe' ... but she went for a swim ...

That would have been a good time for a time out and reminder to mind her parents. It could have saved her life.

The water was practically chummed from the fishing boats waste. Sad.

[Hodar]

The shark did exactly what sharks do. Attracted by the blood in the sea, the shark went looking for prey. To a shark, we look like a wounded seal.

The shark is stupid, and is a predator. The parents are somewhat educated, warned, and the situation was spelled out pretty clearly not only why, but how the danger presents itself. The parents chose to ignore the warnings, and they (not the shark) are at fault.

If I warn you that in Africa, there are lions about; and you shouldn't go into the bush with raw meat, and you do it anyway .... who's fault is it?

[American Vet Repairman]

This is no different than letting a kid play with a hand grenade. The ocean is wilderness- there are dangerous things in it. The parents were warned. They should have watched the kid.

[DTogo]

No, they should stay out of the sea just as Tilison and the people of the island do. What good is it going to do to kill the shark?

Ditto.

[Mongeaux]

Why? Because it was hungry?

No, because it killed a human being. Attacks on people are rising fast and the population needs to be thinned. We're seeing a fatal attack every month and a half lately, mostly in the pacific and Indian Ocean, where GWS is protected and their numbers are rising. The one that ate Spearfisherman Henri Murray this month has been spotted repeatedly off the same South African Beaches, still towing the speargun mechanish it was shot with.

[No Blue States]

I dont care who is at fault, kill sharks who prey on people for whatever reason.

Yesterday a 14 year old died by shark bite in Florida also.

[Mongeaux]

I dont care who is at fault, kill sharks who prey on people for whatever reason. Yesterday a 14 year old died by shark bite in Florida also.

I read a news story on that. They said it was her fault for swimming 100 yards offshore and into a school of fish. There were Bull Sharks around and one got her. So much for not blaming the victim huh?

[Experiment 6-2-6]

No. No. No.

We must sue the island's fishing boat for attracting the shark's in the first place, instead of creating the bait which caused the shark to interfere with the tourist's lifestyle.

Secondly, we need to sue the government, as they clearly failed to protect bathers from sharks.

Thirdly, we need to sue the yacht manufacturor, as without the yacht, this poor girl would never have died.

Fourthly, we need to sue whatever developer created this attractive nuisance in the first place, as we know all children like to swim, and this place is no different than your neighborhood swimming pool, locked gate or not.

Fifthly, we need to sue the man who warned the family, as he clearly had knowledge of the dangers, but did not stick around to fight off the shark when it appeared.

Lastly, his "attempt" to warn may have been misinterpreted by his faulty english, so we will need to sue the local Catholic mission school and fault them for their poor teaching methods on language.

[Hodar]

kill sharks who prey on people for whatever reason.

I know this is going to spoil your emotional high; but have you considered what that would do to the ocean's ecosystem? Sharks are at the top of the food chain for a reason.

Go to Africa, and exterminate the Lions; what do you suppose would happen?

On the other hand, if parents (whom one would hope would have the brains equal to, or greater than a Herring) would stop to think that sending a child in to swim in freshly 'chummed' water is probably a bad idea. Would these same idiots (appologies to the idiots of the world, as this demeans them) would send their 7 year daughter into the African bush with 10 lbs of fresh meat in her hands? It's the same thing. Parents with incredibly poor intelligence, and unusally high degrees of arrogance are now crying foul, from a situation that arose from their own stupidity.

[river rat]

Ah, but these folks were from New Zealand...
That is the country that declared themselves safe from all the hazzards in the world by declaring themselves a "Nuclear Free" zone....

You would think that folks from an Island nation, fortunate enough to own and sail on their own through the Pacific -- would have sense enough to LISTEN to the locals about the KNOWN hazzards of their waters...

STUPID PARENTS...

Semper Fi

[RogueIsland]

You'd only have to exterminate three or four species of sharks, and there's never be another shark attack on a human.

And if you exterminate the human race, there'd never be another human attack on a human. Yes, exterminating entire species because people are to freaking insulated from the reality of nature to realize that when you enter the habitat of carnivorous predators you run certain risks is a really great solution to human stupidity.

[demkicker]

They should hunt that thing down and kill it.

That's ridiculous. This is 100% the parent's fault. They were repeatedly warned and chose to risk their child's life instead. It just goes to show how arrogant and irresponsible some people are. For the life of me, I can't imagine being a visitor to an area and not heeding the advice/warnings of the locals, especially concerning a life or death matter regarding my child! Why didn't they just hand the child a gun and let her play Russian roulette instead?

[txhurl]

That's creepy.

[OldFriend]

This is the result of parents allowing their kids to whine and beg to have their way after being told NO.

[TASMANIANRED]

Although I agree with you that a shark with a taste for humans needs to be eliminated.

Her parents killed her.

Prayers for the child.

[joesnuffy]

All predators that have attacked humans must be killed...

Do this regularly and they will stop...either through attrition or they will be afraid and avoid humans

Both two legged, four legged, 8 legged,no legged, finned and winged if applicable.

imo and God's

Read the old testament

[Mongeaux]

This is the result of parents allowing their kids to whine and beg to have their way after being told NO.

You have a point there. My kids love the water and can be relentless about it.

Daddy can I go swimming?

Daddy can I go swimming?

Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?Daddy can I go swimming?

[TASMANIANRED]

Typical liberal response.

Perhaps they should ask why the shark hated them and offer counseling to the shark.

[jocon307]

That's the spirit!

[dinodino]

I cannot understand the mentality behind the grand idea of killing every shark that preys on humans. What?!? Not only is it just simply impractical, but it is completely ecologically irresponsible.

I feel terrible for these parents. They made a very wrong decision. And don't worry, I'm sure they will spend the rest of their lives wracked with guilt. Very sad.

People have just got to learn to respect nature. One way or another.

[OldFriend]

I presume when you say NO you mean NO.

All that nagging will soon stop if they know you don't say NO unless you mean it.

[Mongeaux]

I cannot understand the mentality behind the grand idea of killing every shark that preys on humans. What?!? Not only is it just simply impractical, but it is completely ecologically irresponsible.

Evidence is mounting that certain individual Great White sharks could be developing a "taste" for human prey, just as certain land predators occasionally do. These fish are an exception to a lot of rules and aren't as stupid or inflexible as many think. An individual fish accidentally eats a hman and discovers a new feeding strategy that turns out to be successful. While Humans may not move to the top of their menu, we are much more palatable than Rays (the sharp stingers are often found lodged in GWS jaws) and carrion.

There was a near miss in California last week:

Pt. Mugu — On June 16, 2005, Kas Alves, Jason Livingstone, and a third unidentified man, were surfing off Pt. Mugu Naval Base at 5:15 PM. They had been in the water about one hour. It was sunny with light offshore winds and an air temperature of 65-70 degrees. “There were 3 of us in the water. I was the only surfer with Jason and the other man on ‘body boards.’ I had just caught a wave and was paddling back out to the line up. As I approached a wave to duck dive (go under) the unidentified body boarder was to my left and about to drop in and Jason was to my right. That was when I noticed the shark coming at the man to my left at full speed; in what seemed to be an attack mode. I saw the color of the shark, which at first I was hoping was a dolphin, but when I saw the bottom half of the shark was white; that was when my jaw dropped and I yelled...SHARK! Both body boarders turned around and took the wave in as I was expecting one of us to get hit by the shark as it was moving fast. I pulled up on my surf board to brace myself for some kind of encounter but the wave broke and messed up the shark’s approach before it could hit one of us. It went passed me into the shallows and actually was stranded momentarily on the sand bar. The shark twisted back and forth before finally thrusting back out to deeper waters. Jason and I believe the Great White was 10-13 feet in length. It was amazing that I saw the shark coming at us from behind the wave. It was clear and it absolutely frightened me. I have been back in the water and cannot stop thinking about it, especially every time I duck dive a clear faced wave. We all searched for at least a half hour after the encounter for another sighting of the shark but it was not seen again. As a side note, on Saturday, June 18, the lifeguards at Leo Carrillo spotted a 13 ft. Great White and cleared the water.” Caution should be exercised when utilizing this location for your ocean water activities. Please report any shark sighting, encounter or attack to the Shark Research Committee.

I have the link if you want it.

[spetznaz]

It always amazes me how people who would not allow their children to wander off into the Amazonian jungle or Indonesian rainforest by their own have no qualms allowing little kids to swim far out into the sea, especially when they are warned that apex predators have been spotted in the area. People need to realize that the ocean is a WILDERNESS, as much so as the deepest jungle in South America or Asia, or the widest Savanna in Africa. I love the beach, but I know it is not some huge swimming pool but instead is a teeming wilderness. And if some local geezer told me there be monsters in 'em waters I would definitely pay heed.

Reminds me of a case a couple years back when this American tourist went to this national park (I remember all the details perfectly then, but now i cannot recall whether it was at the Serengeti in Tanzania or the Tsavo in Kenya). Anyways I do recall he wanted to take his pup tent and 'explore nature' at night, and he was warned that the lions there hunt at night and all that jazz. He apparently thought he knew better and thus went out and camped in the open. His tattered and bloodied tent was found the next morn.

[pepperhead]

Attacks on people are rising fast and the population needs to be thinned.

Well hurricanes are causing more damage. Earthquakes are causing more damage. Tornado's are causing more damage. _____ is causing more damage. Why is that? Because there is more humans on the Earth now. I am not saying that the some of the shark population doesn't need to be thinned out. Just that maybe were giving the Sharks more of a opportunity to strike.

[sumocide]

In western Europe humans exterminated every predator larger than a fox centuries ago. Your ecological collapse is sure taking it's sweet time.

[tet68]

When you tread the face of the deep you are an intruder
in the SHARK's domain, it is THEIR world not yours.

[Righty_McRight]

They missed a few.


Into The Woods - Wolves Return to Emptying German Countryside
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1431051/posts

[Arkinsaw]

They should hunt that thing down and kill it.

We should pass a "shark control" law or file down the teeth on all animals.

[pepperhead]

We should pass a "shark control" law or file down the teeth on all animals.

It wouldn't do any good. Sharks are able to regrow their teeth very quickly.

[teenyelliott]

You would be a great liberal mole.

Perhaps we could use your understanding of their insane mentality in the next election.

[ApplegateRanch]

Sharks are at the top of the food chain for a reason.

WRONG!

Sharks WERE at the top of the food chain for a reason: they had to control things until we gained the ability to hunt efficiently in their place.

PEOPLE/HUMANS are the top of the food chain now, and need to kick ANY serious competitor for the spot into oblivion.

Coyotes, fox, dingos, and other small preditors that don't pose a threat can keep the smaller pests under control; WE can keep the bigger guys (deer, antelope, elephants, 'roos, the small preditors, Bambi-huggers, etc.) under control ourselves.

[Mongeaux]

I found the online edition of the local Vanatu Newspaper and it has more details. It turns out the child was swimming very close to shore (5 meters) WITH local children, so it appears the parents did heed warnings.

By Fred Vurobaravu A fatal shark attack on Atchin Island in Malekula on Wednesday afternoon has instantly taken away the life of a 7-year-old New Zealand girl here with her parents on a yachting holiday.

Alysha Margaret Webster was happily swimming with other children only five metres off shore of the island between dry land and her parents yacht Windshadow.

Information received from the Lakatoro provincial headquarters yesterday afternoon cast a mood of desolation after the tragic death of the girl who was looking forward to celebrating her eighth birthday in Vanuatu in two weeks time.

The tourism coordinator of the Malampa province Kevin Endrell said it is the third time that a shark has killed someone in the area.

A Swiss citizen was attacked a couple of years ago and a local had been killed before the latest tragedy.

He warned the tourists especially those arriving in yachts to ask for information on restricted or dangerous areas that visitors are warned from entering or playing or swimming nearby.

Mr Endrell suggested that yacht owners talk with local authorities in Malampa provinces and chiefs to make sure they are not moored in a danger zone.

He advised that the girl was swimming amongst local children when the shark attacked herÑ bypassing other children swimming in deeper water.

That's a bit strange to imagine such a scenario where a hungry shark could select its victim and did not need to go close to shore to attack,ÓMr Endrell explains.

[af_vet_1981]

Utter sadness at the reckless disregard and utter foolishness on the part of the parent(s) responsible for the senseless loss of that child's life

[sweetliberty]

The shark was doing what sharks do. Ueah, maybe they should kill the shark so it doesn't happen again, but they should, at the very least, cite the parents for failing to protect the child after the warnings.

When my daughter was 7, she would swim in the lake that was out in front of our home in Geogia that was fed by the Savannah River. One year there were sightings of an alligator in in the lake. I really didn't need anybody to tell me to keep my 7 year old out of the water until we were sure it was safe. Why would anyone take that kind of chance?

[teenyelliott]

it is the third time that a shark has killed someone in the area.

So no one should swim there. Is that so hard to figure out?

[skimbell]

Sure, I'm not surprised that it was a great "white" shark. It was also probably "angry". And tomorrow don't be surprised when a "Bush" shark gets blamed for everything else that goes to hell around here.

[Arkinsaw]

Yesterday a 14 year old died by shark bite in Florida also.

Variously reported as 100-250 yards out and at a distance normally only surfers regularly go. When I am at the beach with my 14 year old, she does not go 100-250 yards out and cannot do so because I am watching her. There are also times when sharks like to feed and we go do other stuff in the more likely times. It's like any other time you are in an area where there are wild animals, you have to be responsible and vigilant. There is still no guarantee, but you only have to be able to swim faster than the guy next to ya.

[Mongeaux]

More Details from the local paper:

Malampa provincial government president Pierre Channel Worwor said he had visited Atchin island to talk with the parents of the victim and share their sympathy before arrangements were made for the repatriation of the body of the girl to Port Vila yesterday by Unity Airline in the afternoon and later on back to New Zealand.

Mr Worwor said the tourism industry is growing in Malampa province and more resorts will be established soon in South West Bay. The tourist cruise ship Pacific Sky regularly calls on Walla Island.

He said all tourists that come to Malampa should be advised by tourism authorities in the province of areas that are dangerous to visit.

He is planning for his council to take an emergency decision to set up danger signs at bays and harbors such as in Lamap, Port Sandwich Vao and AtchinÑlocations that are considered dangerous for swimming and snorkeling and where sharks are prevalent.

Mr Worwor told Daily Post he was told by the victimÕs father that when he heard her daughter screaming he jumped into the water to rescue her only to discover that she was already dead. The girlÕs left leg was chopped clean from her upper thigh.

Malampa provincial government president Pierre Channel Worwor said he had visited Atchin island to talk with the parents of the victim and share their sympathy before arrangements were made for the repatriation of the body of the girl to Port Vila yesterday by Unity Airline in the afternoon and later on back to New Zealand.

Mr Worwor said the tourism industry is growing in Malampa province and more resorts will be established soon in South West Bay. The tourist cruise ship Pacific Sky regularly calls on Walla Island. He said all tourists that come to Malampa should be advised by tourism authorities in the province of areas that are dangerous to visit.

He is planning for his council to take an emergency decision to set up danger signs at bays and harbors such as in Lamap, Port Sandwich Vao and AtchinÑlocations that are considered dangerous for swimming and snorkeling and where sharks are prevalent.

Mr Worwor told Daily Post he was told by the victimÕs father that when he heard her daughter screaming he jumped into the water to rescue her only to discover that she was already dead. The girl's left leg was chopped clean from her upper thigh.

Sounds more like a Bull Shark attack to me: they like shallow water and are adept at removing individual limbs.

[ladiesview61]

This is a horrible situation. I agree the parents should not have let her in the water...but can you imagine the scene...a beautiful sunny day, on vacation, beautiful warm blue ocean water...kid begging to hop in the water and swim...I just don't understand why the parents didn't take the warning from the local. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy..God bless this child and her family.

[Sender]

I just read about the 14-yo girl killed a day or so ago in Florida near Pensacola, sitting 100 yds offshore on a boogie board. I've floated on a boogie board in almost the same spot, right between the sandbars where you really shouldn't linger.

But I don't blame the sharks. Sharks do what sharks do. You are much more likely to be run over by a beer truck, even if you swim where you shouldn't. However, in this case, they were warned and told why...really stupid.

[No Blue States]

Right, avoid swimming at prime feeding times (dusk and dawn) and never go out very deep where the big boys are.

If you see a fresh fish head floating by get out, if you see smaller fish running for their lives get out. See a big dark shadow? Get out..

But like you say, most shark bites could be avoided by staying close to the shore. (Like this native guys kids do) and avoid being in the middle of a feeding situation.

Nevertheless, I hate big sharks and would applaud their hunters.

[Mongeaux]

This is a horrible situation. I agree the parents should not have let her in the water...but can you imagine the scene...a beautiful sunny day, on vacation, beautiful warm blue ocean water...kid begging to hop in the water and swim...I just don't understand why the parents didn't take the warning from the local. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy..God bless this child and her family.

we have contradictory reports - the local island paper says the parents allowed the child to go to the beach and swim with the local children, assuming (I guess) that if the local kids swim there it must be reasonably safe. Witnesses said the shark swam PAST kids in deeper water to get HER only 5 meters from shore.

[sweetliberty]

"PEOPLE/HUMANS are the top of the food chain now"

Typically, yes, but not when we venture into the wilds, be it the ocean, the jungle or the frigid Alaskan tundra. Even an innocent camping trip in the Rockies can demote an ill-fated human on the food chain rather quickly. It's a chance we take when we make the choice to be there in the first place. I remember a story a few years ago that happened very close to town where a Mountain Lion snatched a child right off the hiking trail where he was walking with his family. It is always wise to be as prepared as possible in such situations, but stuff happens.