The grieving family of a teenage surfer who was mauled to death by a shark in front of his father say they are devastated by the sudden loss – but buoyed by support from the local community.
“It’s so painful…I’ve never seen anyone so hurt, honestly…it’s something to see,” Khai Cowley’s grandfather, Peter Barley, told Nine News.
“I always thought at any moment he was going to walk through the front door,” Barley added.
Khai, 15, died on Thursday when his leg was bitten by a suspected great white shark at Ethel Beach on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula.
Within 48 hours, the beach where the horror attack took place was lined with floral tributes, and flags outside a nearby surf shop were flying at half-mast, Nine News said.
“We are a very close, strong family and we will get through it,” said Peter Barley.
Khai Cowley (left) was mauled by a shark on Thursday. Family Handout The Cowley family received an outpouring of support from the community. Family Distribution
Khai is remembered by his loved ones as a naturally gifted surfer on the waves.
He often surfed with his uncle, Adam Barley, Peter explained.
“The connection between Adam and Khair who witnessed it sometimes made me cry,” the grandfather recalled.
Peter Barley said his family were “heartbroken” by the teenager’s death. 9News Tributes for teenager Khai Cowley who was killed on Ethel Beach. Family Distribution
“When we’re in the water, it’s like magic. The three of us together are magical,” he added.
Despite their grief, the teenager’s family felt supported by the beachside community,
“Because love came to him, it negated the tragedy,” Peter Barley told Nine News.
Khai Cowley is a skilled surfer. Family Distribution
“[Khai] really made the most of life, he didn’t waste a second,” uncle Adam Barley told The Advertiser.
“He’s so brave, he’ll surf bigger waves than his dad Tim,” Adam said.
Khai’s father was with him on the water on Thursday when the attack happened.
The beach where the attack took place is now marked with a floral tribute. 9News Cowley was surfing at Ethel Beach with his father at the time of the attack. 9News
“I started moving down towards the beach and I could see the dad on the rocks screaming and his son swimming towards him,” witness Tim Philip initially told 7News about the scene.
Philip said the shark was probably about 13 feet long.
Khai’s aunt, Lauryn Barley, started a GoFundMe to help the family cover funeral costs.
Khai Cowley surfed bigger waves than his father, his uncle said. Khai Cowley / Facebook The family spends a lot of time together on the water, according to grandfather Cowley. Family Distribution
As of Saturday, the page had raised more than $51,000 – 10 times its original goal of $5,100.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
