A SHARK has killed a man in an island harbour on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef where two tourists were mauled on consecutive days in September.

The 33-year-old victim was taking turns with a woman on a paddle board in the harbour on Monday afternoon when he was attacked, police inspector Steve O’Connell said.

Tourists in the harbour launched a dinghy from their yacht and rescued the man. “Despite their best efforts, the injuries were too severe,” O’Connell told reporters.

The victim was taken by helicopter to the Mackay Base Hospital, 60 miles to the south, where he died.

The attacks have left authorities struggling to explain an apparent escalation in danger in the internationally-renowned holiday destination.

A 46-year-old tourist, Justine Barwick, is recovering after she was attacked on September 19 while swimming from a yacht in Cid Harbour.

A 12-year-old girl, Hannah Papps, was attacked in the same harbour while swimming from a yacht the next day, losing a leg.