Tributes paid to father-of-two killed by shark in front of friends

3 days ago 7

A father of two was killed off the coast of Perth yesterday morning while spearfishing with friends.

Steven Mattaboni, 38, was off the coast of Rottnest Island, near Horseshoe Reef, when a shark bit him on his lower leg.

The beloved father and husband suffered ‘horrific’ injuries before his friends managed to pull him back onto the boat and rush back to shore.

Despite performing CPR on the way back and meeting police and paramedics, Mattaboni couldn’t be saved.

Mattaboni’s wife, Shirene, has since paid tribute to her husband and said the family’s hearts are ‘broken’.

‘Steven was a devoted father to our two beautiful daughters — one who turns three next month and our four-month-old baby,’ she said.