As a journalist at the Esperance Express newspaper, I have spoken to community paramedic Paul Gaughan many times in the year I have worked in this scenic Western Australian coastal town 700 kilometres south-east of Perth.

I've interviewed him about all sorts of issues and incidents around the region.

Laeticia Brouwer. Shark attack victim in Western Australia. April 2017. Photo: supplied by family

But it was still a shock to suddenly see him on Monday afternoon, standing over motionless Laeticia Brouwer at the back of an ambulance pumping her chest in a desperate attempt to save the life of the 17-year-old surfer.

Under grey skies, with the beach looking far from its usual idyllic turquoise water and pristine white sand, Esperance's off-road ambulance and a convoy of other four-wheel-drives had just driven off the beach.