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Australian Teen Killed by Shark

Girl’s parents witnessed attack at popular surfing spot.

A 17-year-old girl was killed by a shark while surfing at a popular beach in Western Australia on Monday. The girl, who has been identified as Laeticia Brouwer in Australian media, became the third victim of a fatal shark attack in the last year. She was pulled to shore by her father after the attack at about 4 p.m. on Monday but later died of her injuries, authorities said. Her mother and two siblings were also at the scene at the surfing spot near Esperance. Her family said in a statement Tuesday that they would try to take comfort in knowing “that Laeticia died doing something that she loved.” The beach has been closed for the next 48 hours while authorities investigate.