'Beloved' Youth Pastor, 40, Killed in Shark Attack While Fishing Near Great Barrier Reef

Mar. 15, 2025

Pastor Luke Walford.Photo:Luke Walford Facebook

Luke Walford Facebook

A youth pastor was killed in a recent shark attack near the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Luke Walford, 40, from Rockhampton in Queensland, was spearfishing with his family at Humpy Island in the Keppel Bay Islands National Park when a shark attacked him around 4:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, Dec. 28, according to theBBC.

Apolice reportstates that Walford suffered “life-threatening injuries and succumbed to those injuries” at the popular location for diving and snorkeling just before 6 p.m. local time.

His death was the first fatalshark attackin Queensland in more than four years,The Guardianreported.

Humpy Island, Keppel Bay Islands National Park.Auscape/Universal Images Group via Getty

Auscape/Universal Images Group via Getty

The Cathedral of Praise Church in Rockhampton — around 400 miles north of Brisbane — shared two photographs of Walford alongside touching words in aFacebook post.

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One photo showed Walford in a brightly colored shirt singing and playing the guitar, while in the other he was holding a microphone in front of a crowd.

Pastor Luke Walford.Luke Walford Facebook

The Facebook post encouraged members of the church to “take comfort in the promises of God” following Walford’s death.

“Our prayers are with Luke’s family, especially his wife, his mother, and all his relatives," the church official wrote. “We ask God to strengthen them, provide them with peace, and bring them through this unimaginable time. Please continue to lift them up in prayer as they navigate the days ahead.”

Commenters described Walford as “the most generous person” as they discussed the legacy he left behind.

According to the BBC, there have been four shark attacks recorded in Australia during 2024. Overall, only the U.S. records moreshark attackseach year.

Local lawmaker Donna Kirkland told the outlet that Walford had been a friend to her and “countless others.”

“My prayers and heartfelt condolences are with his beautiful family and indeed the many who will be devastated, as I am, at this news”, she added.

source: people.com