Woman, 19, killed in suspected shark attack in New Zealand

A 19-year-old woman has been killed in a suspected shark attack in New Zealand, in the first such incident for eight years.

Kaelah Marlow, from Hamilton, was just beyond the wave line at Waihi Beach when she was heard screaming, local media reported.

Lifeguards, paramedics and a doctor attempted to save the teenager after she dragged from the water with leg wounds, but she died from her injuries.

The popular tourist spot 153 kilometres (95 miles) drive south east of Auckland, which is on the country’s North Island.

Witness Amanda Gould said that Ms Marlow was pulled out to sea by a rip tide.

“We were in the water at the same time as the girl and her friends… they were about five metres in front of us, but they kept getting further and further out,” she told New Zealand based media outlet Stuff.

“She got separated from all her friends and was pulled really far out, beyond where the surfers would sit.”

Ms Gould added that no one saw Ms Marlow waving for help, but she did hear her scream.

“You could tell she was struggling because there is no way she would go that far out”, she said.

“No one saw her waving out, but I did hear a scream.”

Police, who said the incident was a suspected shark attack, later named the teenager and said an autopsy had been scheduled for Friday.

The last fatal shark attack in New Zealand was in February 2013 when a 46-year-old swimmer was mauled at Muriwai Beach, 41 kilometres (25 miles) west of Auckland.