An Australian father-of-two has died after a shark attack. Steven Mattaboni, 38, was attacked by a 4-metre (13ft) shark on Saturday. The incident took place at Horseshoe Reef in Western Australia.
Mr. Mattaboni was spearfishing with friends about 1km offshore. The shark bit him on the lower leg. Friends brought him back to shore. Emergency services could not revive him after the attack. His wife, Shirene Mattaboni, called him an "incredible father". He was a father to two young daughters. One daughter turns three next month. The other is four months old. She described him as an "avid fisherman". He "lived and breathed the ocean", she said. The family's "hearts are irrevocably broken", she added. Mrs. Mattaboni said her husband was "fiercely loyal" and "endlessly generous". The world has lost a "one-of-a-kind gentleman", she stated. His daughters lost an "incredible father far too soon".
The Kingsley Amateur Football Club also paid tribute. Mr. Mattaboni played for the club. He was a "much loved friend to many". The club described him as "one of the most genuine people you could meet". He had a "smile and presence that could light up a room". He will be "remembered fondly by all who had the privilege of knowing him". Graham Henderson, president of the Australian Underwater Federation, expressed sadness. He "heart goes out to his family, the club members and the people who were supporting him out on that dive." He noted that spearfishing is a "dangerous sport". Risks are mitigated with safety boats and drones. He added that people are "most vulnerable" when doing it recreationally.
WA Police Sergeant Michael Wear stated Mr. Mattaboni was about 20 metres from his boat. His friends "witnessed the horrific event", he told local media. The state's police minister praised friends and first responders. Reece Whitby acknowledged the "critical role" of the diver's friends. They did "the best they could to bring him back to shore". He called it a "very confronting, disturbing and tragic scene". The WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development confirmed the report. They received details of a man bitten by a four-metre shark. WA Police will prepare a report for the coroner. The incident occurred on Saturday, May 18, 2026. The time was around 10:00 local time.
This event involves a tragic personal loss. It does not have direct economic or financial impact on Ghana. The country's economy, markets, or public finance are not affected. No GHS figures or trade data are relevant to this report. Therefore, this story does not meet the publication's strict criteria for economic and financial reporting.