<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tributes are being paid to a fisherman </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/humpy-island-shark-attack-man-suffered-neck-injuries-the-keppels-queensland/c24554a0-b747-430f-9bc1-5c8ec0534b06" rel="" target="" title="mauled by a shark in waters off the Queensland coast"><span>mauled by a shark in waters off the Queensland coast</span></a><span> late yesterday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Youth pastor Luke Walford, 40, is being remembered as a "gentle soul" and "loyal friend".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The tragic series of events unfolded in waters off Humpy Island, in The Keppels, 18km from Yeppoon, yesterday afternoon, leaving the Central Queensland community in mourning.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/plane-catches-fire-at-south-korean-airport/9746b322-68c7-475f-8fd1-f40b0558757a" rel="" target="" title=" At least 85 dead after plane crashes at South Korean airport"><strong><span>At least 85 dead after plane crashes at South Korean airport</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Walford, an experienced fisherman and school chaplain, was holidaying with friends and family when he was attacked by a shark while spearfishing, leaving him with deep wounds to his neck.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Paramedics travelled to the tropical island by rescue helicopter but he couldn't be saved.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The death has prompted an outpouring of grief from the many who knew him.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/shark-attack-victim-queensland-luke-walford/3be519cd-4d94-4faa-a1d3-63f63f98a113" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Sunday morning service at the church where Walford worked as a youth pastor for a decade alongside his wife was today a sombre affair.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Claude Fingleton from the Cathedral Church of Praise said Walford was "just a wonderful man, and in the prime of his life".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's understood Walford's brother was fishing alongside him.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police have said that they were doing everything right, taking turns to dive and keeping an eye on each other, but sharks are known to frequent the area.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is the first fatal attack in Queensland since 2020.</span></div></div>