Surfer found dead with ‘shark bites’ after fatal ‘attack’ on Oahu beach in Hawaii identified as Tamayo Perry
A SURFER who starred in a Pirates of the Caribbean film has died in a possible shark attack.
Tamayo Perry’s lifeless body was found with several shark bites, Honolulu Emergency Medical Services announced Sunday.
He had been surfing off Goat Island, also known as Mokuauia, near Laie, Hawaii – about 32 miles north of Honolulu – when he was found at 1 pm, officials told the Star-Advertiser.
Lifeguards were able to take him to the shore via jetski.
Officials confirmed Perry was the victim after his next of kin were notified.
“Tamayo Perry was a lifeguard loved by all, well-known on the North Shore, a professional surfer known worldwide around the world,” said Acting Ocean Safety Chief Kurt Lager in a statement.
“Tamayo’s personality was infectious, and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.
“Our condolences go out to Tamayo’s family and to the entire lifeguard ohana. We’re asking for some privacy for his family at this time.”
Mayor Rick Blangiardi called Perry’s death a “tragic loss.”
“Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected […] a great member of our Ocean Safety team; it’s just really hard to imagine, so we just want to pay our respects to our guys.
“I hope everyone wishes the family the best honors and respects the situation.”
Jason Bitzer, a friend wrote a tribute to Perry on Facebook, writing, “The things we have seen! My brother in Christ I love you brah! Tamayo, I won’t get over this until I see you in heaven.
“Tamayo Perry you weren’t my friend you were my brother, the pain we’re collectively feeling is immense.”
Emergency crews believed Perry may have suffered more than one possible shark bite.
This fatal attack was the second Oahu has seen just this month
DEVOTED WATERMAN
Perry was an instructor for the Oahu Surfing Experience.
His bio on the OSE website states that he made appearances in several films such as Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Blue Crush, and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.
“I’ve been surfing professionally for over 15 years and surfing the world’s deadliest wave is what I got paid for (Pipeline),” Perry wrote in his bio.
He wrote that he had a near-death experience while surfing an extra-large wave.
“A number of years ago while surfing Pipeline on the Extra Large size, I was involved in a freak accident that turned into a near-fatal experience.
“The incident happened all because of someone else’s lack of awareness.”
Perry wrote that he took lessons from that experience, which inspired him to teach others about surfing etiquette and safety.
Emergency crews believed the man may have suffered more than one possible shark bite.
Earlier this year, an 11-year-old girl was mauled by a shark after the creature clamped down on her foot in Oahu.
The girl was reportedly bitten on her left foot on Saturday, March 2, just before 1:30 pm, reported NBC News.
Officials said she suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
“The girl was near shore, swimming in the water, when the incident occurred,” said the Honolulu Emergency Services Department in a statement.
“A witness described seeing what appeared to be a small reef shark in the area.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to the Honolulu Police Department and Oahu Surfing Experience for comment.
