A fatal shark attack at Gracetown which is 270 km south of Perth, Western Australia, killed a father of two and a surfer Chris Boyd. This is the third shark attack that claimed a life in the last 10 years. The accident took place on Saturday morning, Nov 23, 2013, following which the beaches were closed and family and friends of the victim pay him tribute.

Chris Boyd, 35, was attacked by a suspected great white shark while he was surfing at the popular surfing point called Umbies. Mr Boyd, who belonged to Sunshine Coast of Queensland, had moved to Western Australia with his family for work, a year back.

Following the accident, the director general of the Fisheries Department had issued an imminent threat order and an order to close several beaches of the place. The verdict of re-opening the closed beaches will be announced only after midday on Nov. 25, 2013.

Chris Boyd Shark Attack Victim Receives Tribute

Chris Boyd was a member of Coolum Boardriders Club in Queensland. Club members describe his death to be a "massive loss" to one and all in Sunshine Coast's surfing community.

The Facebook page of the Coolum Boardriders Club is flooded with tribute messages.

"The surfing world and in particular the Yaroomba surf community today has suffered a massive loss. Chris Boyd was fataly (sic) injured in a shark attack this morning surfing around the Gracetown area. The club and the entire Coolum surfing community wish Crystal, Nick and the entire Boyd family and their many friends the deepest of sympathy. RIP Boydy, we will miss you," a message on the Facebook page reads.

Another message on the page remembers Chris Boyd as "legend" and "inspiration" to many:

"As many of us are mourning the loss of Chris Boyd a legend and inspiration to many, I want you to know I am here for you and anyone else in the club who has questions or just wants to talk and process. Feel free to call me anytime and share my number around. Cheers Azza 0434624758 (club chaplain) - RIP Boydy," reads the message on Coolum Boardriders Club's Facebook page.

A friend and colleague of the victim, Aaron Cockman, recalls him to be in love with everything that is related to water and ocean. He addresses Chris Boyd as a "water man."

According to Perth Now, while recalling events from that day, Mr Cockman reported that while hanging out together on Friday, they ended up discussing about sharks.

"We were having a conversation about a friend who shot a shark with a speargun. I said to Chris 'if anyone is going to survive a shark attack it's you,' because he was such a water man," told Aaron Cockman.

"Stay strong friends he was the best mate and best brother RIP," reads a message on Facebook from Nick Boyd, brother of victim Chris Boyd.

Chris Boyd was the third victim of a fatal shark attack in Gracetown, Western Australia, in the past 10 years. Bradley Smith, a surfer, was killed by a great white shark in 2004, and Nicholas Edwards was brutally killed in 2010 at a nearby South Point.