The friends of a diver mauled to death by a great white shark off the coast of Western Australia’s Rottnest Island tried to warn him before he was attacked.

Emergency services were first alerted to reports a 38-year-old man had been attacked at Horseshoe Reef, off the coast of Perth, about 9.55am AWST.

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The man was rushed by boat to shore, where he was met by St John Ambulance paramedics.

The RAC rescue helicopter was also sent to the incident with first responders seen frantically performing CPR on the man.

Despite their best efforts, WA Police confirmed the man was sadly unable to be revived with a report now being prepared for the coroner.

The state’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) earlier reported the shark attack was near Geordie Bay.

“Take additional caution in the Geordie Bay, Rottnest Island area,” DPIRD said.

It also urged anyone to adhere to beach closures and to report any shark sightings to Water Police.

A large emergency services response was sent to the popular tourist destination to rush the man to hospital on the mainland..A large emergency services response was sent to the popular tourist destination to rush the man to hospital on the mainland.. Credit: 7NEWS Emergency services rushed to the scene to perform CPR.Emergency services rushed to the scene to perform CPR. Credit: 7NEWS The attack happened off the coast of Rottnest Island’s Geordie Bay.The attack happened off the coast of Rottnest Island’s Geordie Bay. Credit: Adrian Wojcik/Getty Images/iStockphoto

A submission on SharkSmart, a WA government-run site that maps shark sightings from around the state, reported a five-metre-long great white shark had been spotted off Geordie Bay around the same time as the attack.

Footage taken at the scene by the 7NEWS helicopter showed a large emergency services response, with paramedics and police gathered on a dock on Rottnest Island.

The island attracts both local surfers and tourists due to its pristine beaches with white sand and it being one of the only places in the world to see quokkas in the wild.