Shark attack on Tamayo Perry: How did Pirates star Tamayo Perry die in a shark attack? What we know so far

“Pirates of the Caribbean” star and professional surfer Tamayo Perry died when he was attacked by a shark while surfing off the Hawaiian island of Oahu on Sunday afternoon, authorities said. City and County Ocean Safety lifeguard Tamayo Perry, 49, died in the attack near Goat Island, Honolulu Emergency Services’ Shayne Enright said in a statement.

Honolulu Ocean Safety, as well as the city’s fire, police and emergency services, responded to Mālaekahana Beach on Oahu’s north shore shortly before 1 p.m. after a caller reported seeing a man who appeared to have been bitten by a shark, Enright said.

Perry took a break from lifeguarding duty and went surfing near Goat Island near Laie. Lifeguards brought Perry to shore on a jet ski and paramedics assisted in confirming his death.

Death by shark bite: What we know so far
Perry was bitten several times, although it is not yet clear whether one or more sharks were behind the attack.

The cause of the shark attack is still unclear. Sharks can generally attack humans because they mistake them for prey.

Who is Tamayo Perry?
Perry, who worked as a lifeguard on the North Shore, began his career with the Department of Marine Safety in July 2016, Enright said.

After the attack, Ocean Safety personnel issued shark warnings in the area, Enright said. Kurt Lager, deputy director of Honolulu Ocean Safety, said Perry was “a lifeguard loved by all.”

“He is very well known on the North Shore. He is a world-renowned professional surfer,” Lager said at a news conference. “Tamayo’s personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else even more.” “Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, calling Perry’s death “a tragic loss.”