Fatal shark attack on Waihī Beach: Victim’s aunt says devastated family is in ‘shock’

An aunt of Kaelah Marlow, a victim of a shark attack on Waihī Beach, says the entire family is in “shock” after the 19-year-old’s death.

Marlow was pulled out of the water alive after the attack, but paramedics administered CPR on the beach without success.

Marlow’s aunt, Kylie French, told Western Australia that the family was devastated by her death.

“I’m in shock, everyone is in shock. We can’t go there, Mom can’t go there,” French said.

“You hear about shark attacks, but never in a million years do you think it will be someone you know. Obviously, she was with her friends having a good time.

“She was a lovely girl, a funny girl, always upbeat, in anything.”

Marlow moved to New Zealand five years ago with his parents, Robert and Michelle, and his younger sister Georgia, who is 17 years old.

Robert had worked as a miner and moved from Cambridge to Dunedin with his wife and youngest daughter last Christmas, says French.

Marlow stayed in Cambridge and had been working on a farm having previously studied a business apprenticeship.

The teenager was educated at St Brigid’s College in Lesmurdie until they moved to New Zealand, West Australian reports.

Marlow’s parents reportedly traveled today to identify his body. He would have turned 20 in May.

Police said tonight that the case will be referred to the coroner.

“The police extend our condolences to Kaelah’s family and loved ones at this difficult time,” said a police statement.

The attack occurred in Bowentown Beach shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday, and emergency services flooded the area shortly after.

Lifeguards who saw Marlow were patrolling outside the flags when they saw her, said Surf Lifesaving New Zealand East Region Salvage Manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell.

Matt Lawry says he watched as they worked to save Marlow and says a nearby emergency services member was comforting a man.

“Watching them try to save the young woman without success and seeing the man’s white face was a very traumatic and heartbreaking experience,” he said.

After cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts ceased, a man walked 50 to 70 meters into the sea and began to splash water on himself.

“It was heartbreaking and I can’t stop thinking about the extreme pain I saw on his face when he came off the beach,” Lawry said.