Paul Millachip: Search called off for ‘wonderful’ London man killed in Australia shark attack

A search for a British man presumed killed by a Great White shark in Western Australia has been called off.

Paul Millachip, 57, is believed to have been dragged underwater by a 14ft Great White shark while swimming at a beach in Perth on Saturday.

Horrified onlookers clambered to rocks after being alerted by teenagers.

It was reported that Mr Millachip had also been attacked by a tiger shark.

Police launched a 48-hour search at Port Beach but all they recovered was a pair of swimming goggles.

Search and rescue vessels patrol off Port Beach in North Fremantle, Western Australia, Saturday
AP

Mr Millachip, originally from Willesden in London, later settled in Perth, according to the Daily Mail.

His wife, speaking at a press conference, said her family was grappling with a “very hard” situation.

“He was a wonderful man, a wonderful father, and he loved his exercise,” she said.

“It came out of the blue but it did happen - we just have to deal with it.”

She added that he was a strong swimmer who had competed six times in Ironman triathlons.

“Rest in peace, Paul,” she said.

Four teenage boys who were on the beach said they saw the attack and took their small boat along the shoreline to warn others to get out of the water.

“I didn’t see exactly what type the shark was but it was mammoth. From the fin to the rear tail was pretty big distance,” one of the teenagers said.

His wife, who didn’t want to be named, added she was grateful to the group of boys who had helped explain what happened to her husband.

“It must have been an absolutely terrifying experience for them, so my heart goes out to them,” she said, her voice wavering.

“I thank them for what they did. Amazing. They could potentially have saved other lives.”

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan described the tragedy as “horrific” and very sad.

“A family is now grieving, a man has lost his life — it’s a sad situation for everyone involved,” Mr McGowan said.

The Labor leader, minister and police also praised the efforts of teenage boys.

“They actually quite vividly saw what was going on in the water,” Inspector Douglas said.

“It’s a fantastic effort. It was probably something you don’t want to see. They reacted really, really well.”

There have been three fatal shark attacks in Australia this year.

The attack happened 21 years to the day after businessman and father-of-three Ken Crew, 49, died metres from the shore at nearby Cottesloe beach.

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