By David Livingstone
Police reported last night that a large shark, suspected to be a feared great white, has been spotted in the waters where a British backpacker lost his life.
Mortuary staff have been instructed to look for signs of a shark attack on the body of 30-year-old Michael Utley, whose remains were retrieved from a beach in Albany, WA.
Nonetheless, authorities were unable to promptly verify whether the Briton was attacked by the shark or if he had drowned after getting caught in a powerful current that left his body battered.
According to Police Sergeant Bob Scott, who is stationed in Jerramungup near Albany, the shark was observed as evening approached, but darkness made identification impossible.
“A helicopter involved in the search went closer to investigate the shark, but it descended into deeper water,” he stated.
“The mere presence of the shark in the vicinity served as a psychological factor, though it did not impact the search efforts.”
Mr. Utley, originally from Bolton, was reported missing in the ocean off Native Dog Beach on 
Saturday, with his body discovered early the following day on Dillon Beach, adjacent to Bremer Bay.
Over 100 rescuers, including police divers and surf life-savers, supported by helicopters and boats, had thoroughly searched the area.
Although the body was found by volunteer searchers and requires formal identification, police sources indicated that all signs suggest it is indeed that of the Englishman.
While investigating the possible shark attack, authorities are also considering the hypothesis that Mr. Utley encountered difficulties when he was caught in a powerful current while swimming with four friends.
The rip was so strong that Mr. Utley’s friends were washed ashore at a beach located around the coast from where his body was ultimately recovered.
“This coastline is quite rough, and the conditions were dreadful where they chose to swim,” Sergeant Scott remarked.
Mr. Utley, a plasterer, had been on a working holiday in Australia since December of the previous year.
His twin brother Mark, residing in Westhoughton, Bolton, expressed that the family had been “keeping the faith” and hoping that Mr. Utley had somehow reached the shore alive along the vast stretches of coastline.
“Once they faced the waves, they all realized they needed to return to the shore,” Mr. Utley explained.
He had been warned by police before his brother’s body was found that there was a shark in the water, with authorities not dismissing any possibilities.
Michael’s mother, Susan, was en route back to the UK from Germany last night, accompanied by her husband Graham Liles, who is employed there.
Before the devastating news broke that the body discovered on Dillon Beach was almost certainly Michael’s, Mark shared, “I had spoken to him on Friday, and he mentioned that he planned to stay in Australia because he was earning good money, and upon returning, we ought to invest in property together.”
Mark intends to travel to Australia with his mother and anticipates needing to formally identify his brother’s body.
“He was having a great time in Australia and was eager to celebrate Christmas there,” he noted.
“He would often say he’d ‘just throw a shrimp on the barbecue’ in his Australian accent.”
Mark described his hardworking brother, who also knew how to enjoy life, as “really popular” and someone who lived life to the fullest.
