Shark kills Kiwi on honeymoon

An Auckland man on a honeymoon tour of Australia was killed yesterday by a 5m shark while surfing at a beach famous for its waves and huge white-pointers.

Police were still searching last night for the body of the man, understood to be Cameron Bayes, aged 25.

He went out for an early morning surf at Cactus Beach, in the Great Australian Bight, about 600km northwest of Adelaide.

Witnesses told police that Mr Bayes was attacked 50m offshore by a 4m to 5m white pointer about 7.30 am.

His wife was nearby but did not see the attack, said a policewoman.

Ron Gates, owner of a camping ground where the couple stayed on Saturday night, said locals were stunned by the attack.

Pieces of surfboard were found on the beach, he said.

"His wife is at Ceduna Hospital ... Obviously she was in a state of shock."

Another local said: "It's not good for our little town. We like good publicity, not bad publicity, mate."

Residents of the main-road town of Penong, 20km from Cactus, recall at least three other shark attacks in the past 15 years, the latest on a surfer several months ago.

"A guy was attacked and his mate swam back and saved him - punched the shark," said Jill Oats.

But the last death was of a boy attacked at least 25 years ago. Fishermen caught the shark, cut it open and found the boy's leg inside.

"It was actually buried with him."

It is understood that the Bayes married at the beginning of the year. Mr Bayes was from the North Shore.

Internet surfing sites warn that Cactus has "plenty of big whites."