A diver has been fatally injured after being attacked by a shark near the Chatham Islands.

Chatham Islands Mayor Monique Croon said the attack on a commercial diver had rocked the island community.

“I flew off the island this morning but many in our community are divers, so everybody is in shock,” Croon said.

Police confirmed this afternoon a man has died in hospital on Chatham Island after being attacked by a shark.

“Emergency services were called around midday, following reports the man - who had been diving off a boat - had been critically injured,” police said.

He was rushed to Chatham Island hospital where he has since died, police said.

Croon said the diving community had headed to the hospital to offer their support.

Hato Hone St John said they were notified of an incident near Chatham Island at 11.15am.

They responded with one ambulance.

A Flying Doctors Service plane was also sent from Christchurch but has since been turned around.

Hato Hone St John referred further inquiries to police.

The Department of Conservation confirmed it was “aware of a shark attack near the Chatham Islands this morning”.

It’s understood the victim was in his 20s. The man was brought to Waitangi Wharf after the attack and met by emergency services.

It comes after a 21-year-old woman was attacked by a shark in a Southland estuary late last year. The culprit was thought to be a sevengill shark — a species known for moving closer to shore in summer.

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Police said their thoughts are with the family involved.

The victims death will be referred to the coroner.

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