NSW: Community mourns shark victim

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2008
NSW: Community mourns shark victim

By Andrew Drummond

SYDNEY, April 9 AAP - Schoolmates of the teenager killed by a shark on the NSW north
coast paid tribute to their dead friend at a small vigil at his high school today.

Peter Edmonds' friends and staff at Alstonville High School are undergoing counselling,
as the small community comes to terms with yesterday's death of the 16-year-old.

Peter, of Wollongbar, died from massive blood loss after being attacked by a shark
while bodyboarding with a friend about 8am (AEST) at nearby Lighthouse Beach in Ballina.

His friend Brock Curtis, also 16, dragged his motionless mate to shore, but Peter could
not be revived.

The principal of Alstonville High, David Silcock, today paid tribute to Peter, saying
he was well-liked by the school community.

"Peter was a lovely young fellow, very polite, very respectful and he was well liked
by his peers and his staff," he told Network Ten.

Mr Silcock also praised Brock for his courage in helping his injured mate.

"We're very proud of Brock. We've spoken to his family and to Brock to offer him any
support we can," he said.

Schoolmate Elisa McCarthy told reporters Peter's friends were all supporting each other
in the aftermath of the shark attack.

"His death has been very upsetting and we're all working together to support one another
during this tough time," she said.

Since yesterday afternoon, friends have also being paying their respects at Lighthouse
Beach, which remained closed today.

Northern NSW Lifeguard Coordinator Stephen Leahy said about 20 kids had come down to
the beach at dusk yesterday, "obviously very upset".

"A number of them had bunches of flowers, which were thrown into the ocean," he said.

The tributes will continue this weekend, with Lennox Longboarders group, of which Peter
was a member, planning a special event on Sunday.

They will wear black armbands and paddle out to the spot Peter was attacked, so they
can observe a minute's silence.

The shark that attacked Peter has not been identified, and Mr Leahy said the lifeguard
service would not be pursuing it.

"The kids haven't done anything to pre-empt this attack, it's simply a tragic accident," he said.

Peter's death has sparked debate about shark control measures in place in the Ballina
area, where shark nets are not fitted at Lighthouse Beach or other nearby surf spots.

Gold Coast fishing expert Paul Burt is critical of the lack of shark control measures
in place in the area.

"Drum lines (nets) are essential," he told Channel Nine.

"The area around here is becoming more and more touristy, especially on a weekend basis,
and with the school holidays upon us, these waters are notorious for sharks, there are
so many out there."

Mr Leahy said emergency services, in conjunction with the Department of Primary Industries,
had held extensive discussions about reducing the risk of shark attacks.

"Shark nets have obviously been a part of that," he said.

"Our responsibility is to ensure public safety on our beaches ... but there's evidence
to suggest (nets) are not the be-all and end-all."

AAP ab/hn/af/de

KEYWORD: SHARK NIGHTLEAD

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