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WA Shark Attack Victim Named As 17-Year-Old Laeticia Brouwer

"Laeticia died doing something that she loved."

A 17-year-old girl who died on Monday after being attacked by a shark near Esperance, 720km south of Perth in Western Australia, has been identified as Singleton resident, Laeticia Brouwer.

Brouwer was attacked while surfing with her father at Kelp Beds, approximately 3km east of Wylie Bay, at around 4pm (AWST). It is believed she was pulled from the water unconscious and one of her legs was mauled in the attack, leading to major blood loss.

On Monday, Western Australian police confirmed that Brouwer was treated at Brandy Creek before being taken to Esperance hospital in a critical condition.

In an emotional address to media on Tuesday, a family spokesman said Laeticia's loved ones are "heartbroken and saddened" by her death and that she "died doing something that she loved".

Laeticia's family also thanked local authorities in their efforts at the scene and for the community support they received in the hours after the tragedy.

"We are terribly heartbroken and saddened by this tragic accident. We can take comfort in the fact that Laeticia died doing something that she loved. The ocean was her and her family's passion," he said.

"Surfing was something that she treasured doing with her Dad and sisters. Laeticia will be greatly missed by her family, friends and everybody that knew her.

"We can take comfort in the fact that she is now in heaven with the lord in eternal peace."

Wylie Bay beach was also closed after the incident with police urging local surfers and residents to stay away from the area for at least 48 hours.

Kelp Beds, also known as "Kelpies", is a popular surf break that's reportedly a notorious spot for shark sightings. In 2016 there were two shark attacks in Western Australia.

In May, Ben Gerring, 29, died after an attack at Falcon Beach and just one month later, 60-year-old Dorren Collyer died following an attack by a great white.

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