Hawaii surfer attacked by shark dies after emergency surgery

World Surfing League’s Maui Pro competition was placed on indefinite hold following the shark attack

A Hawaii surfer bitten by a shark has died, after his condition deteriorated despite him undergoing emergency surgery.

The 56-year-old man from Lahaina was originally reported to be in a stable condition following surgery at Maui Memorial Medical Centre, but officials confirmed to Hawaii News Now he had since died from his injuries.

The attack, in the waters off Honolua Bay on Tuesday morning, cancelled the woman's Maui Pro surfing competition scheduled to begin just hours later.

Images show where a shark took a 17-inch bite out of the man's surfboard in the attack, which occurred near the bay's old boat ramp, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Conditions were prime for a shark attack due to low water visibility near the mouth of the river, according to Da Kind Surf Marketing Director, Micah Nickens.

Mr Nickens told local news KHON2 the attack left witnesses traumatised as ocean safety pulled the victim from the water and administered CPR.

“It was really sombre and really sad. It was a very eerie feeling to be a part of,” he said.

“It was heavy. It was incredible, I mean, people are crying … One of the little girls was out in the water. She’s like eight. I don’t know if she’ll ever recover from it. To be honest, it really scared her."

The surfer was not involved in the Maui Pro competition, which was placed on indefinite hold by the World Surf League, which also confirmed the man's death in a Twitter post.

"Our thoughts and hearts are with the victim's family and friends as well as the entire Maui surfing community," World Surf League said in a tweet.

 

League chief executive Erick Logan announced the event's cancellation in a video.

"There’s going to be no competition at the Maui Pro following a shark incident that happened in the bay with a recreational surfer this morning,” Mr Logan said.

"We'll have more information as it goes as we continue to work with local officials and authorities on the status. Our thoughts and prayers are obviously with this victim."

The semi-finals of the women's pro surfing event, set to get underway between Australian surfers Tyler Wright and Sally Fitzgibbons, was put on hold indefinitely.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources said in a statement that shark warning signs were placed either side of the bay, from Fleming Beach Park to Punalau Beach, and would remain there for at least a day.

"Following standard protocol, after a shark incident, warning signs will remain in place until at least noon on Wednesday, after Maui County and State personnel determine there is no further shark presence," the statement said.