Port Hedland shark attack: Father almost has arm ripped off only metres away from four-year-old son

A father who almost had his left arm severed off his shoulder after being attacked by a shark while spearfishing was only metres away from his four-year-old son. 

Father-of-three Robbie Peck, 38, was savaged while he was spearfishing offshore at Port Hedland in Western Australia on Friday. 

It was revealed that his brother-in-law pulled him back on to the fishing boat, where Mr Peck’s young son was also on board. 

Father-of-three Robbie Peck (pictured), 38, almost had his left arm severed off his shoulder after being attacked by a shark while spearfishing offshore at Port Hedland in Western Australia on Friday

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Fisheries officials said the man was attacked after spearing a fish, but the species of the shark was unknown

Fisheries officials said the man was attacked after spearing a fish, but the species of the shark was unknown. 

A Royal Flying Doctor Service spokeswoman said he had sustained multiple injuries and his left arm had ‘nearly been severed’. 

Paramedics attended him after he was brought back to shore by boat at 11.30am, where he was then rushed to Hedland Health Campus under priority one conditions.

Mr Peck was later flown to Perth Royal Hospital for surgery in a stable condition.  

Mr Peck’s wife Emily recalled the moment she received the news about her husband.

‘(It was) just that sinking feeling in your gut and I swear all of the blood just drained from my face,’ she told 7News.

‘It’s not a phone call you ever want to get…You expect the worse straight away when you hear shark attack,’ Ms Peck added. 

A Royal Flying Doctor Service spokeswoman said he had sustained multiple injuries and his left arm had ‘nearly been severed’

Paramedics attended him after he was brought back to shore by boat at 11.30am, where he was then rushed to Hedland Health Campus under priority one conditions

In a twist to what was already a tragic incident, this was actually Mr Peck’s final outing on the boat – with the couple having made plans to sell it.  

Ms Peck’s son said ‘his dad is so brave’. 

‘I think the boys on the boat kept him pretty sheltered from all the trauma,’ Ms Peck added. 

WA’s fisheries department is working with local authorities and urged people to take additional precautions in the Port Hedland area.

Surf Life Saving WA posted a sighting of a shark at 11.40am on their social media on Friday.

Speaking with 7News, Mr Peck’s wife Emily (pictured) recalled the moment she received the news about her husband

Surf Life Saving WA posted a sighting of a shark at 11.40am on their social media on Friday