While spending the day spearfishing with his family, school chaplain and youth pastor Luke Walford (40) suffered a shark attack that quickly took his life. Walford was an experienced fisherman who regularly spent time perfecting his hobby off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
“I’ve had the privilege of watching Luke grow from a child to a remarkable young man,” shared Walford’s pastor.
Australian Youth Pastor Who ‘Truly Loved God and Loved People’ Killed in Shark Attack
Walford’s father passed down the love of spearfishing—a hobby that invoked passion for decades. Walford, along with his family, set off for a popular tourist spot—Humpy Island, near Great Keppel Island and Great Barrier Reef’s Keppel Bay Islands National Park.
Local authorities said Walford was bitten by a shark in the afternoon. Paramedics arrived and worked quickly. But, he “sustained life-threatening injuries” that took his life less than two hours later, according to Newsweek.
Pastor Claude Fingleton announced Walford’s death and gave a tribute to his life on the church’s Facebook page. Fingleton has led the Cathedral of Praise Church in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, alongside his wife, Elva, for 50 years. Fingleton dedicated Walford as a baby and had “witnessed incredible contributions as part of our church staff.”
“It’s with deep sorrow that we share the tragic news of Pastor Luke Walford’s passing,” the post read. “Last night, we learned that he was attacked by a shark while doing something he loved—spearfishing, a passion that was passed down to him by his father.”
Walford had been on staff at the church for 10 years and was close to those in his church and his community. “I’ve had the privilege of watching Luke grow from a child to a remarkable young man,” shared Fingleton.
“Though our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in the promises of God. We know that Luke is now with the Lord, resting in His presence because of God’s exceedingly great and precious promises,” Fingleton continued. “Luke was a man who truly loved God and loved people. Today, we rejoice that he is in the arms of his Saviour.”
Walford was described as a “God honouring man whose enthusiasm and energy to serve the body is infectious,” on the church’s website. “He has a genuine love for children and young people and desires to help them grow in all that God has created them to be,” the church added.
Walford is survived by his wife, Kayelene. She also works at Cathedral of Praise Church, where she is surrounded by a church community.
“Our prayers are with Luke’s family, especially his wife, his mother, and all his relatives,” the church’s social media post said. “We ask God to strengthen them, provide them with peace, and bring them through this unimaginable time. Please continue to lift them up in prayer as they navigate the days ahead.”
 suffered a shark attack that quickly took his life. Walford was an experienced fisherman who regularly spent time perfecting his hobby off the coast of Queensland, Australia.){kind=link}