Hawaii lifeguard Tamayo Perry dies in shark attack while surfing off Oahu

A professional lifeguard died today after being attacked by a shark while surfing off the Hawaiian island of Oahu, authorities said.

Lifeguard Tamayo Perry, 49, of the City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety died in the attack near Goat Island, said Shayne Enright of the Honolulu Emergency Services Agency.

Honolulu Ocean Safety, as well as the city’s fire, police and emergency services, responded to Mālaekahana Beach on Oahu’s north shore after a caller reported seeing a man who appeared to have been bitten by a shark, Enright said.

Lifeguards brought Perry to shore on a jet ski and paramedics assisted in confirming his death.

Perry, who worked as a lifeguard on the North Shore, began his career with the Ocean Safety Department in July 2016, Enright said.

Following the attack, Ocean Safety personnel issued shark alerts in the area.

Kurt Lager, deputy chief of Honolulu Ocean Safety, said Perry was “a lifeguard loved by all.”

“He is well known on the North Shore. He is a world-famous professional surfer.

“Tamayo’s personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else even more.”

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said Tamayo was “a legendary and highly respected ferryman” and called his death a “tragic loss.”