Shark Attack at Dee Why Beach: Experienced Surfer Killed in Tragic Incident
What began as a normal morning suds snappily turned into a agony on Saturday at Dee Why Beach.
Mercury Psillakis, 57, an educated and well- known cybersurfer, was fatally attacked by a wolf just a short distance from shores.
Around 10 am, exigency services rushed to the scene after reports of a serious wolf attack. Psillakis had been in the water for only about 30 twinkles when the bloodsucker struck.
Fellow browsers acted incontinently, dragging him from the suds, but the injuries were too severe.
“He was retrieved from the surf and brought to the shore; however, he died at the scene,” said Inspector Stuart Thomson from the Northern Beaches Police Area Command.
“His body was found floating in the surf, and a couple of other people went out and recovered it but attempts to save his life were unsuccessful.”
Police recovered two sections of a surfboard after the horror attack which left an experienced surfer with ‘catastrophic injuries’. #DailyExpress https://t.co/SxJp24c5OY pic.twitter.com/MPKYxh02g8
— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) September 6, 2025
The death has left the community reeling. Psillakis leaves behind a woman and youthful son, and with Father’s Day just around the corner, the tragedy is felt indeed more keenly.
Friends and local surfers remember him as a familiar face on the waves and a kind, gentle soul.
“We understand he leaves behind a wife and a young daughter – with tomorrow being Father’s Day, it’s particularly tragic,” added Inspector Thomson.
Authorities have shut Dee Why Beach and surrounding stretches from Manly to Narrabeen while patrols monitor the waters.
Copters, drones, and marine safety vessels have all been stationed to ensure no further incidents do.
“Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command have closed the beach and will liaise with experts to determine the species of shark involved,” police said in a statement.
“Two sections of a surfboard have been recovered and taken for expert examination.”
Fatal Wolf attacks are extremely uncommon in Australia. Sydney’s last deadly attack was in 2022. Experts are probing the species involved, with early suggestions pointing to a great white wolf.
The tragedy has also sparked renewed discussion around wolf safety measures, including nets and barrel lines, which are frequently controversial due to their environmental impact.
Officers are looking into ways to cover insensibility while also conserving marine life. The loss of Mercury Psillakis has left a lasting mark on the Northern strands community.
Families, musketeers, and browsers mourn a man who loved the ocean. As the disquisition continues, the focus remains on supporting his favored bones and icing public safety.
For now, the strands stay unrestricted, and the community remembers one of their own with heavy hearts.
