Shark Kills Film Director Adam Strange in New Zealand: Shocked Vacationers Witness Predator Rip Swimmer Apart in Bloody Attack, Beaches Closed

Reports confirm that a large shark attacked and killed popular television and short-film director Adam Strange on Wednesday (Feb. 26) just off the coast of Muriwai Beach near Auckland, New Zealand. Vacationers and fellow sun-dwellers watched in horrific shock as the predator ripped the 46-year-old swimmer apart. Police attempted to save Strange by firing gunshots at the approximately 14-foot long shark, but to no avail. Gruesome eyewitness accounts describe the scene as a bloody, chaotic mess. Beaches have been closed until further notice.

Lifeguards who witnessed the attack described Strange (who lived near the beach with his family) as a strong, capable swimmer. He was located about 650 feet offshore when the attack occurred. Police promptly arrived at the scene and attempted to reach the struggling Strange on inflatable lifesaving boats. They shot multiple times at the large predator, but it allegedly swam away unharmed. Strange's lifeless body was then recovered from the bloody waters.

The specific species of the shark remains unknown, although witnesses claim it looked like a Great White. Many onlookers also claim that several sharks were involved in the attack, although police confirm they only shot at one. Approximately 200 people were enjoying soaking in the summer ray's on the beach when the attack occurred.

Strange was an award-winning short film and commercials director, described by friends and family as a "glorious and great father, husband and friend." According to Strange's website, his first feature "Aphrodite's Farm" snagged a Crystal Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2009.

The New Zealand Herald received an official statement from Strange's family, expressing their shock and kindly asking for privacy during this time of tragedy.

Pio Mosie, who was fishing off the beach at time, told New Zealand's One News: "He yelled out 'a shark!' and then we looked up, there was blood everywhere and the shark was still attacking. Then the shark stopped attacking, he put his head up, and we yelled out at him to swim over to the rock, and he raised his hand up ... and next minute he went down, the shark pulled him down. He came up again with his head under the water, and then we knew he was dead. Shocking. First time I have seen such a thing in real life... All I was thinking was I wanted to jump in the water and help but I didn't want to get attacked by a shark too."

This is believed to be the first fatal shark attack in the country since 1976 and only the 14th ever recorded.

Clinton Duffy, a shark expert with the Department of Conservation, said New Zealand is a hotspot for great white sharks, although attacks are very rare. He explains, "There are much lower levels of shark attacks here than in Australia. It's possibly a function of how many people are in the water [in New Zealand's cooler climate]." Sharks often come closer to shore to feed and give birth during the Southern Hemisphere summer, but this doesn't necessarily increase the risk of attacks - "Ninety-nine percent of the time they ignore people. Sometimes, people get bitten."

Surrounding beaches still remain closed following the gruesome attack. Thoughts and condolences go out to Strange's family, friends, and colleagues during this time of tragedy.