A photo a toddler playing as his father snorkels was taken just moments before the man died and was eaten by a shark.

Taylia Craw took a picture of her two-year-old son Levi with her husband, Duncan, in the background during a family trip from New Zealand to Australia.

The young family had been camping at Port MacDonnell near the Victorian border when Duncan disappeared in the water about 5pm as his wife and son enjoyed the beach.

When search teams recovered a torn wetsuit, they thought a great white shark that had been spotted in the area attacked Duncan.

Further investigation reveals that the man actually died from an undisclosed natural cause before a shark saw his body.

“While we may never know for sure, based on the evidence we do have, we now believe it is most likely Duncan suffered a medical episode long before the arrival of the shark,” said the family through a statement.

“It brings us comfort to know that he would have passed away peacefully in the water.”

“He was the best father to Levi and a beautiful husband and best friend to Tay, his high-school sweetheart,” the statement continued.

The family promised that the unfortunate incident wouldn’t keep them from pursuing a healthy outdoors lifestyle.

“We want everyone to know the ocean is still a place of peace and beauty for us,” the statement reads.

“We will keep enjoying the outdoors, remembering Duncan as we do so.”

A GoFundMe page named “Duncan’s Legacy for Levi” was set up to help support his son’s future, and it had raised more than $42,000.

“Levi now knows his daddy is in heaven, and Duncan’s family and friends are determined to ensure he will remember how much Duncan loved his little man,” the page reads.

“While the love, guidance and presence of a father is irreplaceable, we believe that some additional financial support will help set Levi up for the future.”