Great White Shark Reportedly Kills 24-Year-Old Commercial Diver: ‘An Amazing Boy’

Mar. 15, 2025

New Zealand, Chatham Islands.Photo:Westend61/Getty

Westend61/Getty

According toStuff, the incident happened on the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 19 (local time) when 24-year-old Jade Kahukore-Dixon went diving 800km (500 miles) east of New Zeland’s South Island.

Police also confirmed in a statement that the commercial diver was rushed to the Chatham Island Health Centre, where he later died.

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They added, “He was rushed to Chatham Island Hospital, but has since died. Police’s thoughts are with his family. The death will be referred to the Coroner.”

Jade was the sole director and shareholder of Nomad Diving Limited, which was registered in June 2023.

Speaking about his son, Jacky told Stuff that Jade was a “very tough, young fella” who “loved fishing and diving” since his childhood.

“He would do anything to protect his family. He was an amazing boy, a very much loved member of the family,” the father said.

Great White Shark.Getty

Getty

Jacky added that Jade wasn’t afraid of the great white sharks and would often see them in the sea.

“He thought he was one with the ocean,” he said, adding that when his son saw them he would hold his breath, hide behind rocks and sneak back onto the boat before the shark saw.

Jade also almost lost his life four years ago when his foot got trapped under a rock.

After the diver had been underwater for too long, his friend jumped into the sea to free his foot and get him out of the water.

“He’s a local boy. He’s well-known, well-liked and this will be pretty devastating for our commercial divers. It’s the biggest risk - the biggest fear,” Chatham Islands mayor Monique Croon told the outlet. “The community will be in total shock.”

source: people.com