Associated Press
HONOLULU 鈥� A professional lifeguard died after he was attacked by a shark while surfing off the island of Oahu in Hawaii on Sunday afternoon, authorities said.
City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguard Tamayo Perry, 49, died in the attack near Goat Island, Shayne Enright of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department said in a statement.
Honolulu Ocean Safety and the city鈥檚 fire, police and emergency medical services departments responded to M膩laekahana Beach on Oahu鈥檚 North Shore just before 1 p.m. after a caller reported seeing a man who appeared to have suffered shark bites, Enright said.
Lifeguards brought Perry to shore by jet ski and paramedics assisted with the death pronouncement, Enright said.
Perry, who worked as a lifeguard on the North Shore, began his career with the Ocean Safety Department in July 2016, Enright said.
Ocean Safety personnel posted shark warnings in the area following the attack, Enright said.
Honolulu Ocean Safety Acting Chief Kurt Lager said Perry was 鈥渁 lifeguard loved by all.鈥�
鈥淗e鈥檚 well known on the North Shore. He鈥檚 a professional surfer known worldwide,鈥� Lager said at a news conference. 鈥淭amayo鈥檚 personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.鈥�
鈥淭amayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected,鈥� Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said, calling Perry鈥檚 death 鈥渁 tragic loss.鈥�