Deep sorrow has spread throughout the Greek community in Sydney, Australia, following the death of 57-year-old Mercury Psillakis, who was killed after a shark attack while surfing at a beach. The tragic incident occurred in waters between Dee Why and Long Reef beaches, on the eve of Father’s Day in Australia. The Greek-Australian was in the water with friends when he was suddenly attacked. According to Sky News Australia, he tried to survive, but the serious injuries he sustained proved unfortunately fatal.
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Tragedia en las playas del norte de Sídney: Mercury Psillakis, surfista de 57 años🏄♂️, murió tras ser atacado por un tiburón en Long Reef Beach, cerca de Dee Why 🦈
🩸El animal le causó heridas catastróficas pese a que otros surfistas lo ayudaron
🏖️🛑Playas de Manly a Narrabeen… pic.twitter.com/oc9sfOESMW— Sonar 360 (@Sonar360) September 6, 2025
Australia: Shocking video from the moment the shark attacks
Meanwhile, a shocking video from the scene has captured the horrific moment of the attack, showing fellow surfers pulling him bloodied to shore. Despite resuscitation attempts, the 57-year-old could not be saved. Witness accounts report that the shark had inflicted serious wounds, causing him to lose significant amounts of blood.
An eyewitness told Sky News that the shark was “one of the biggest he had ever seen,” estimating its length at approximately six meters. “There was a man in the water shouting: ‘I don’t want you to bite me, I don’t want you to bite me, don’t bite me’ and I saw the shark’s fin coming out of the water and it was massive,” he said.
It has been a horrific day on Sydney’s northern beaches – a 57-year-old man was mauled by a shark close to shore while surfing with mates, dying before he could be pulled from the water. He has been identified as husband and father, Mercury Psillakis. @Sacre88 #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/tyHOnxLr9o
— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) September 6, 2025
Inspector John Duncan called the incident a “massive tragedy,” noting that such attacks are extremely rare. “With Father’s Day approaching, the loss is even more painful,” he stated.
He was the father of a young daughter
Mercury Psillakis leaves behind his wife Maria, their young daughter, and his twin brother Mike, known for his activity in the surfing community. According to Australian media, “almost everyone” in Dee Why knew Mercury Psillakis and his brother, describing the Greek-Australian as a warm and hospitable man who was always at the beach.
