A 24-year-old commercial diver, identified as Jade Kahukore-Dixon, tragically lost his life after a suspected great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) attack off the coast of New Zealand’s Chatham Islands. The incident occurred on the morning of Tuesday, 19 November, while Kahukore-Dixon was diving from a boat.
Emergency Response and Community Impact
Mr. Kahukore-Dixon, who was a resident of the Chatham Islands—located approximately 850 km (528 mi) east of Christchurch, New Zealand—was immediately transported to the main port of Waitangi and then rushed by ambulance to Chatham Island Hospital. Despite the swift response, medical personnel were unable to save him. A local police spokesperson confirmed, “Emergency services were called around midday, following reports that the man, who had been diving off a boat, had been critically injured. He was rushed to Chatham Island Hospital but has since died.”
Chatham Islands Mayor Monique Croon expressed the community’s shock, stating, “He’s a local boy. He’s well-known and well-liked. This will be pretty devastating for our commercial divers. It’s the biggest risk—the biggest fear. The community will be in total shock.”
Possible Involvement of a Great White Shark
While the shark species involved has not been officially confirmed, Mr. Kahukore-Dixon’s grandmother suggested in a Facebook post that a great white shark was responsible. Great white sharks are known to inhabit the waters around the Chatham Islands.
Rarity of Shark Attacks and Historical Context
Shark attacks of any kind are rare globally. According to the latest data from the Global Shark Attack File, there have been 145 recorded incidents since 1852, with 25 of them being fatal. The most recent fatal shark attack prior to this incident occurred at Waihī Beach on New Zealand’s North Island, claiming the life of a 19-year-old woman.
In July 2019, a scuba diver reportedly had a close encounter with a great white shark while diving off the Chatham Islands but managed to escape without injury.
Conclusion
The tragic loss of Jade Kahukore-Dixon has left a profound impact on the small community of the Chatham Islands. Efforts to formally identify the shark species involved in the attack are ongoing, emphasizing the need for caution and awareness in regions where these majestic but potentially dangerous marine predators are present.
