Children run from water as tiger shark stalks busy Perth beach
A curious tiger shark lurking in the shallows of a busy Perth beach has caused children to run from the water as it came within metres of the shoreline.
The incredible moment was captured on drone footage, showing the shark’s dark form cruising slowly through the water at Whitford’s dog beach, north of the city.
The two children, standing thigh-deep in the water, appear completely oblivious to the danger in front of them. Suddenly spotting the shark, they turn and run from the water.
The drone pilot, Liam Baster, said he felt nervous watching the children in the water and hoped they’d see the 2.5m shark before it was too late.
He was on the phone to water police at the same time, reporting how close the shark was to swimmers.
“My phone call to police was intense as I was very concerned and I wanted them to act quicker,” he told Yahoo News.
“…I didn’t want to capture an attack. But tiger sharks are timid and inquisitive.
“If the conditions had been cloudy or poor visibility I dare say that would have been a reality.”
Mr Baster, a B1 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer with a passion for photography, closely follows the SharkSmart WA app and happened to be nearby when he was alerted about the shark.
“I tried to chase the surf life saving boat with the drone to alert them and get them to follow the drone but that didn’t work,” he said.
“Following the shark closer to the water seemed to grab people’s attention.”
Just seconds after the two boys retreat from the water, a dog is seen sprinting into the shallows, but quickly turns around.
Deadly detail spotted on shark off Sydney beach: 'Really sad'
Dead dolphin with massive shark bite washes up on Sydney beach
Another angle shows dozens of people gathered on the sand, seemingly aware of the shark.
Following the animal's visit, parts of the beach were closed.
Mr Baster described his video going viral as “actually crazy”.
“I didn’t intend on the footage to create fear but more so caution and vigilance while attending the beach in summer,” he said.
Incredibly, it’s not the first time Mr Baster has captured a close-call on camera.
Last year, his drone was following another large tiger shark when it came within metres of a surfer.
“I told that kid that he was that close to the shark,” he said.
“He had no idea.”
The Perth-based engineer took up photography as a way to honour his late father, who worked as a cameraman for both Channel 7 and Channel 9.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
