Shark attack kills famous surfer and lifeguard in Hawaii

A Hawaii surfer and lifeguard whose skills and charisma saw him appear in Hollywood films was killed in a shark attack in Hawaii on Sunday.

Tamayo Perry, 49, who appeared in the film “Pirates of the Caribbean” and was known for his brave and daring surfing skills, was killed on the north shore of the island of Oahu, where he worked security ocean and lifeguard services for eight years. .

A caller told dispatchers that the man’s body appeared to have suffered more than one shark bite, the Honolulu Department of Emergency Services said in a statement.

“It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of one of our incredibly dedicated lifeguards from the City and County of Honolulu, who tragically lost his life today in an apparent shark attack on the coast north,” Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a statement.

Blangiardi said Perry “embodied bravery, commitment and a deep sense of duty, serving our community with unwavering dedication.”

“His heroic actions and tireless efforts to keep our residents and visitors safe will never be forgotten,” he added.

Shayne Enright, a spokeswoman for Honolulu Ocean Safety, said at a news conference that rescuers responded by jet ski after 1 p.m. and brought Perry ashore, where he was pronounced dead.

Acting Ocean Safety Chief Kurt Lage also said at the news conference that Perry was known as a professional surfer with an “infectious personality” to fans of the sport around the world.

Perry was a specialist in navigating the huge waves of the Banzai Pipeline, a reef near Ehukai Beach Park. In a biography on Oahu Surfing Experience, where Perry was an instructor, he describes the Pipeline as “the deadliest wave in the world.”

His acting credits include “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” as well as TV shows like “Lost” and “Hawaii: Five-O.”

A man survived a shark attack on the California coast earlier this month by punching it in the nose.