Hands found in stomach of shark suspected of killing Australian tourist, officials say
.png "Authorities said hunters caught several sharks following the attack.")
A shark captured off the coast of New Caledonia is believed to be responsible for an attack that killed an Australian tourist, authorities say.
The tourist, identified as Chris Davis, 59, was swimming about 500 feet off the shore of a beach in New Caledonia when he was attacked on Sunday, Feb. 19, Nine reported. Davis was rushed to shore with arm and leg injuries, and he died at the beach despite rescue efforts.
Now, authorities believe hunters have captured the shark that attacked Davis.
A nearly 10-foot bull shark was captured on Tuesday, Feb. 21, near the place of the attack, according to Yves Dupas, the public prosecutor, New Caledonia 1 reported. A necropsy of the shark found a right and left human hand as well as a piece of swimsuit that matches what Davis was wearing in its abdomen, the station reported.
Two tiger sharks were also captured and necropsied, the outlet reported. Investigations will continue.
Dupas said it is possible that the attack involved two sharks, according to 7 News Sydney. A tiger shark could have also been responsible for the attack, he said.
Davis is remembered as a “beloved husband and father,” his family — including his wife and three adult sons — said in a statement, the outlet reported. He worked as a software consultant and was a successful triathlete.
New Caledonia is a French territory about 2,000 miles east of Australia.
This story was originally published February 22, 2023 at 1:54 PM with the headline "Hands found in stomach of shark suspected of killing Australian tourist, officials say."
