Man Killed in Shark Attack Had Just Retired Earlier This Year

A California man was killed in a shark attack over the weekend while swimming at a beach in Maui, Hawaii. 

Thomas Smiley, 65, was bitten about 60 yards from shore near the Kaanapali Shores resort on Saturday, according to officials. Rescuers were able to pull him from the water but he never regained consciousness. 

“They pulled the man up. He looked unconscious when they transferred him to the other gurney," witness Allison Keller told KOVR. "And we could see that they were trying to do CPR on him."

Keller said that Smiley was missing his left leg below the knee and the skin from his wrist appeared as though it had been torn off. 

Smiley was an optometrist who had only retired earlier this year. His death is the first from a shark attack in Hawaii since 2015.

He leaves behind six grandchildren, three children and a wife. 

Warnings were posted on the beach Sunday.

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