A 17-year-old Charlize Zmuda was swimming at an Australian beach when she was suddenly attacked and mauled by a shark. She was fatally injured by the shark, suffering injuries to her upper arm and torso. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries. A day after, her heartbroken father talked about his late daughter in a touching tribute at the beach, surrounded by family and friends.
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Steven Zmuda, Charlize's father, spoke during her daughter's tribute. He was joined by family, friends, and media outlets who covered Charlize's tragic death. Saying that the beach was a "big part" of their lives," Steven told the assistants to continue coming to the beach.
"Something that my wife and I want to say is: we don't want people to stop coming to the beach and enjoying our beach," Steven said, reported by the Daily Mail. "We've got family here ... the community ... and we love everybody here. So please, still come to the beach and enjoy the surrounds of every beach up and down the coast."
A Father, Heartbroken
During the vigil, Steven would continue to talk about his daughter lovingly and emotionally. He said he was "extremely gutted" after learning the news of her passing. She went on to remember Charlize Zmuda as a great surfer lifesaver and a talented musician.
"She was a dedicated lifesaver who wanted to only the best for our club and for all of our community," he said. "Charlize was extremely musical, talented. She was the lead at the St Columban's School as a singer ... she was so musically gifted."
For Steven Zmuda, to have a talent such as his daughter be taken away "kills him." However, he hopes that Charlize now has found peace.
"She's hopefully upstairs with my late father," Steven said. "I never wanted a moment like this to happen to anybody and (for it) to be my daughter is a killer."
According to 9News, The attack took place at a beach on Bribie Island in Queensland on Monday, February 3. Reportedly, she was bitten by a shark at around 100 meters offshore. Paramedics arrived and attempted to save her life, to no avail.
