Tim Middleton gets a close-up view of the killer whales. Photo / Troy Huston
When Aucklander Troy Huston saw a pod of killer whales ripping stingrays apart and devouring them metres from where he was diving, he didn't feel scared - he felt privileged.
The 28-year-old was diving with a group off the Poor Knights Islands near Whangarei last Wednesday when he
witnessed the extraordinary event.
"We saw about 50-60 short-tailed stingrays. We were just watching them when we heard this squeaking sound. The stingrays panicked and took off. Then right in front of us a killer whale came flying up from the bottom, then took off into the depths," said Mr Huston, on only his eighth dive.
The killer whale then came rushing up behind his diving partner and friend Tim Middleton. "I froze as she advanced. Midders turned around and he could have almost touched her as she came right up for a second look. She turned away at the last second and headed towards the stingrays."
Mr Huston, who had a camera with him, said he counted one large male - which can weigh up to five and a half tonnes - and four female killer whales in all.
"The female came in and rolled on to its back, pinning a stingray to the ground. Then she communicated to her mates and they came in and ripped it apart. It was pretty amazing." The frenzied attack lasted about 35 minutes.
Mr Huston said he didn't feel scared. "Killer whales are not known to attack people... I feel really lucky and privileged. It's right up there with the best experience I've ever had."
