Surfing legend killed in shark attack as body washed up ‘missing arm and leg’
A lifeguard who starred in Pirates of the Caribbean has died after he was attacked by a shark while surfing.
Tamayo Perry, 49, was reportedly found with an arm and a leg missing and later died after the attack near Goat Island, close to Oahu in Hawaii, authorities said.
First responders said he appeared to have suffered ‘more than one possible shark bite.’
Lifeguards then brought Perry to shore by jet ski and paramedics pronounced him dead, officials said in a news conference.
Ocean Safety personnel posted shark warnings in the area following the attack.
The sad news is just a few weeks after a swimmer fought off a shark attack by punching the predator inside its mouth.
Caleb Adams, 46, suffered several nasty gashes to his hands and wrist as he ‘tussled’ with the animal in water off the coast of San Diego on June 2.
Honolulu Ocean Safety and the city’s fire, police and emergency medical services departments responded to Malaekahana Beach on Oahu’s North Shore just before 1pm after a caller reported seeing a man who appeared to have suffered shark bites.
Mr Perry, who worked as a lifeguard on the North Shore, began his career with the Ocean Safety department in July 2016.
Perry was born and raised on the east side of Oahu and made his career on the North Shore, both as a professional surfer and later as a lifeguard.
He started surfing at the age of 12, and by the time he was a teenager, Perry was considered the ‘quiet up-and-coming local boy who had to borrow surf boards because he had no sponsors,’ according to The Encyclopedia of Surfing.
Honolulu Ocean Safety acting chief Kurt Lager said Mr Perry was ‘a lifeguard loved by all’.
Perry’s surfing skills landed him roles in the 2002 hit Blue Crush, Lost, the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and Hawaii Five-0.
He also did commercials for Nissan Xterra, which aired during NFL playoffs and the Winter Olympics, as well as a spot for Coca-Cola, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports.
He eventually joined Ocean Safety in 2016, and started to share his passion for surfing by creating the Oahu Surfing Experience with his wife, Emilia.
Mr Lager said: ‘He’s well known on the North Shore. He’s a professional surfer known worldwide.
‘Tamayo’s personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.’
Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi said: ‘Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected,’ and called Mr Perry’s death ‘a tragic loss’.
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