In the crystal-clear waters off Rottnest Island, Western Australia, a devoted father, husband, and passionate spearfisherman took what would be his final breaths. Steven “Mattas” Mattaboni, 38, a surveyor from Perth and father of two young daughters, was enjoying a morning dive with close friends on Saturday, May 17, 2026, when a massive great white shark struck with terrifying speed. What unfolded in the next few minutes became a harrowing tale of bravery, loss, and an unbreakable bond of love that transcended even the brink of death.

Mattaboni had set out early that morning with three friends, their boat anchored about one kilometer offshore near Horseshoe Reef. The group was experienced in the waters around Rottnest, a popular holiday destination known for its pristine beaches and vibrant marine life. For Mattaboni, these outings were more than sport—they were a way of life. An avid fisherman and secretary of the Bluewater Freedivers of Western Australia, he lived and breathed the ocean, respecting its power while embracing its beauty.

That morning started like many others. The friends chatted and laughed as they prepared their gear, the sun rising over the Indian Ocean. Visibility was excellent, and the conditions seemed perfect for a productive spearfishing session. Mattaboni, known among his mates for his generosity and infectious smile, was in high spirits. He had left his wife Shirene and their two young daughters— one just turning three and the other a four-month-old baby—at home, promising to bring back fresh fish for a family meal.

Around 9:55 a.m., Mattaboni was on the surface, roughly 20 meters from the boat, when the unimaginable happened. Witnesses described a sudden explosion of water and a massive shadow surging upward. A great white shark, estimated at around 4 meters (13 feet) in length, clamped onto both of his lower legs in a single, powerful bite. The force was catastrophic, severing major arteries and causing immediate, life-threatening blood loss.

Chaos erupted. His friends, reacting with remarkable presence of mind despite the horror unfolding before them, rushed to his aid. They hauled his bloodied body onto the boat while one began performing CPR. Blood filled the vessel as they sped toward Geordie Bay jetty, radioing frantically for emergency services. Every second counted. By the time they reached shore, paramedics and police were waiting. They continued resuscitation efforts for more than 30 minutes, but Mattaboni’s injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead despite the heroic attempts to save him.

In those final, agonizing moments aboard the boat—his last 30 seconds of consciousness amid unimaginable pain—Steven Mattaboni uttered words that would forever echo in the hearts of those who loved him. Weakened by massive blood loss but clinging to clarity, he looked at one of his closest friends and whispered with his remaining strength: “Tell my daughter I love her.” It was a message not just for one child, but a poignant encapsulation of his devotion to both his girls and his family. Those simple words, spoken as life ebbed away, revealed the core of who Steven Mattaboni was: a man whose final thoughts were not of himself, but of the family he cherished above all else.

Shirene Mattaboni, a clinical nurse specialist, later shared a heartfelt statement that captured the depth of their loss. “Our hearts are irrevocably broken by the loss of Steven, known affectionately to his mates as ‘Mattas,’” she said. “An avid fisherman and spearfisherman who lived and breathed the ocean, he was always in tune with the sea. He was fiercely loyal, endlessly generous, and the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back.” She described him as a “truly one-of-a-kind gentleman” and an “incredible father” whose daughters had lost him far too soon.

The couple’s life together painted a picture of deep partnership and joy. Mattaboni was not only a family man but also an active member of his community. He had been a premiership player with the Kingsley Amateur Football Club in Perth’s northern suburbs, where teammates remembered his ability to light up a room with his smile and presence. “Mattas was one of the most genuine people you could meet,” the club posted. “He will be remembered fondly by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Friends and fellow divers spoke of his experience and caution in the water. As secretary of Bluewater Freedivers, he was well-versed in safety protocols, yet the ocean remains unpredictable. Graham Henderson, president of the Australian Underwater Federation, expressed profound sadness, noting that while spearfishing carries inherent risks, recreational outings can leave divers most vulnerable. Increased shark interactions in recent times, possibly linked to changing feeding patterns and environmental shifts, have heightened awareness across Western Australia’s coast.

The attack has sent ripples of shock through the local community and beyond. Western Australia Premier Roger Cook called it “deeply distressing,” offering condolences to the family. A five-meter white shark was spotted nearby around the time of the incident, prompting fisheries officers to patrol the area and urge extra caution. Despite the tragedy, beaches on Rottnest Island remained open, with authorities emphasizing monitoring of shark warnings for swimmers and beachgoers.

Shark expert Dr. Daryl McPhee noted that the attack occurred a considerable distance offshore, suggesting it did not indicate heightened risk in shallower waters near popular beaches. Still, the event underscores the raw power of nature and the respect required when entering marine environments. Australia has seen its share of shark incidents, recording high numbers of fatal attacks in recent years according to global tracking data.

For those who knew Steven, the loss is personal and profound. He was more than an adventurer or athlete; he was a fiercely protective father, a loyal husband, and a friend who embodied generosity. His daughters, too young to fully grasp the tragedy now, will grow up hearing stories of their dad’s love for the sea and, more importantly, his love for them. That final message—“Tell my daughter I love her”—serves as a lasting legacy, a reminder that in his most vulnerable moment, his heart belonged entirely to his family.

As tributes continue to pour in from football clubs, diving communities, and everyday friends, Steven Mattaboni’s story highlights both the thrill and peril of ocean pursuits. It also celebrates a life well-lived: one filled with passion, laughter, and unwavering devotion. His friends who fought desperately to save him will carry the memory of those final seconds—the courage, the love, and the peace that came from expressing what mattered most.

In the days following the attack, Rottnest Island’s turquoise waters continue to draw visitors, but for the Mattaboni family and their circle, the ocean now holds a bittersweet duality: a source of joy that once connected them to Steven, and the force that took him away. His wife Shirene’s words resonate deeply: the world has lost a true gentleman, but his spirit—of loyalty, generosity, and fatherly love—will endure through the lives he touched and the daughters he adored.

Steven Mattaboni’s final 30 seconds were marked by pain, but also by profound humanity. In whispering those last words, he ensured that even in death, his love would reach his family. It is a testament to a life defined not by how it ended, but by the love that filled it until the very end. Families across Australia and those who venture into the sea will remember his story as both a cautionary tale and an inspiration to cherish every moment with loved ones.