Authorities have revealed that Mercury Psillaks was the surfer killed in a fatal shark attack on the stretch between Long Reef and Dee Why this morning.
According to reports when the shark was sighted, it was Mercury who called on nearby surfers to huddle together to minimise the threat. However, accounts indicate Mercury stayed at the back of the pack and that when the shark breached it basically bit him in two.
Two lifeguards were able to carry his torso into shore but there was no attempt to resuscitate Mercury as the injuries he suffered in the attack very quickly proved fatal. One of the lifeguards involved was QS competitor, Kai Warner.
“They pulled in the torso. They couldn’t find the legs, that was just the nature that attack,” stated Dee Why local and former CT surfer, Toby Martin, (a friend of Mercury’s) who was one of the first to learn the details of the incident.
A Northern beaches junior contest was taking place 200 metres down the beach from the site of the attack and was quickly cancelled once it became apparent what had transpired, but not before several young surfers were exposed to the gory tragedy.
On a blue sky, classic Spring Saturday with clean waves, the stretch from Dee Why to Long Reef was busy with surfers and a shark attack was the last thing on anyone’s mind.
“It was pretty dramatic on such a populated Beach, to have something of that magnitude, it’s just radical – sickening, actually,” commented Toby.
According to reports the police were quickly making bold statements about hunting and killing the shark. Meanwhile, Toby was a little more philosophical. “I think we’re all understanding of our playground and how fragile and volatile it can be… we’re kind of playing on their territory… it’s hard to process though.”
The incident comes amidst fierce debate around the removal of shark nets on NSW beaches. The pursuit of effective shark mitigation strategies will no doubt be one of the major discussion points in the wake of the attack.
Mercury will be remembered as a revered and much liked surfer from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Mercury and his twin, Mike, were regular surfing buddies and the charismatic duo were extremely popular members of the northern beaches surfing fraternity. Mike is well-known as the shaper for iconic Northern Beaches brand, Psillakis. Initially there was some uncertainty about which brother had been attacked, a factor which added to the confusion and horror of the event.
The incident will hit the northern beaches surfing community particularly hard, given the status and reputation of Mercury. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
