Friend of Rottnest Island shark attack victim Steven Mattaboni says there was 'no warning' before death
Steven Mattaboni leaves behind his two daughters and wife Shirene. (Supplied)
In short:
A close friend of a Perth father who died in a shark attack on Saturday says there was no warning before his death.
Liam Thomas was friends with the late Steven Mattaboni, and thanked rescue teams for doing everything they could.
Mr Thomas wants Mr Mattaboni to be remembered as a man who loved the ocean and his family, as his loved ones remain "absolutely heartbroken".
A close friend of a Perth father killed in a shark attack off Rottnest Island says there was “absolutely no warning” before the experienced spearfisher was bitten while diving with friends.
Steven Mattaboni, 38, was attacked while spearfishing, something his best mate of more than 30 years said he had done thousands of times before.
“There was absolutely no warning for Steven,” Liam Thomas said.
Liam Thomas recounts Mr Mattaboni's greatest qualities, with friends and supporters behind him. (Supplied)
“There was absolutely no signs of danger.”
Mr Mattaboni was with three friends about a kilometre offshore at Horseshoe Reef on Saturday morning when he was bitten on his legs by a large shark.
Paramedics and police tried to revive Mr Mattaboni but he could not be saved. (ABC News)
Those same friends who witnessed the incident pulled him from the water onto their boat, performing CPR on the way back to shore before paramedics took over.
Mr Thomas, who was not on the boat, spoke to reporters on Friday and thanked rescue teams on the island, who he said did everything they could.
"They gave Steve every chance possible, and we would like to extend just our absolute thanks and gratitude for everyone that supported Steven on the day,"he said.
Mr Thomas says Rottnest Island was a "special place" for him and Mr Mattaboni. (Supplied: Shirene Mattaboni)
“It's really, really important for us to disconnect Steven from what took place last Saturday.”
Greatest love was family
Mr Thomas said his friend’s first love was the ocean.
"His second love and his greatest love was his family. And he was just so proud of his two beautiful daughters and everything that he did for them and everything he worked for was for them," he said.
Steven Mattaboni's family and friends are taking it "day by day" after his death. (Supplied)
Mr Thomas said he'd been overwhelmed by the generosity and support of West Australians in the week since the attack.
An online fundraiser for Mr Mattaboni’s family has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Mr Mattaboni loved his family greatly, including his daughters and wife. (Supplied)
He had a long history with the Bluewater Freedivers club and he served in many capacities, most recently as club secretary.
"The reason why we loved him was because he had all these amazing attributes and values,” Mr Thomas said.
Mr Mattaboni's friends remain heartbroken. (Supplied)
“He was charismatic funny, hardworking and had so many wonderful qualities that just made him so loved by so many.”
"Right now we are taking it day by day. We are absolutely heartbroken, but we're here for the girls and we're here for his beautiful wife Shirene and everything that we do from here is to support his beautiful family."