A SHARK REPORTED TO BE OVER 4m HAS KILLED A SWIMMER AT LOWER POINT NEAR ALBATROS BEACH IN JEFFREYS BAY.
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| Picture: Facebook |
The avid open water swimmer had started training again for the up coming open water swim season, but swam regularly as apart of his normal routine. He always parked his vehicle at the petrol station and walked down to the beach entering the water from Boneyards across from the Checkers. His aim was to swim to the next beach break that was to the East towards Kabeljouws at Albatross and he was about two thirds of the way when the shark attacked him. He was then pulled further out to sea.
Terry Olivier was in his kayak and made his way over to the scene finding Burgert lying face-down in the water. The shark was thrashing around, taking bites out of the body and Terry tried fending it off with his paddle but his attempts were in vein due to it's sheer size. The shark then disappeared underwater with the torso and Terry quickly headed back to shore getting himself out of the water and out of a very dangerous situation.
There were several witnesses to the attack, one of them, a Member of the Supertubes Surfing Foundation, Allison, said that her son Zach witnessed the attack and told his mother that he saw the shark was "lifting the man up and down out the water." Allison rushed to the beach, grabbed her binoculars and said that she could see that there was a lot of blood everywhere. "I have seen fins in the water before, but this time you could see a lot of the sharks body. I could see the man's blue swimming cap."
Some first believed it was 2 sharks because of it's length but the local media later reported that it was just one shark. It is not clear what breed was involved but locals and some officials are certain it was a Great White.
The National Sea Rescue Institute said that a volunteer rescue crew was sent out to the scene at around 11:30am local time. "On arrival on-scene remains of a body, believed to be those of an adult male, have been recovered from the water and handed into the care of the police and the forensic pathology services."
According to a statement by the Kouga Municipality the beach was to remain closed for the weekend: “We will be re-assessing the situation on Monday.” The Municipality reminded people that if they entered the water, they were doing so at their own risk.
This is the first fatal shark attack at Jeffries Bay which is hailed one of the top 5 surf spots in the world.
This is the first fatal shark attack at Jeffries Bay which is hailed one of the top 5 surf spots in the world.
According to the International Shark Attack file at the Florida Museum of Natural History, there were 4 shark attacks in South Africa last year, three of which were fatal.
Everyone at the House of Biltong and the Daily HoB would like to extend their deepest condolences to Burgert van der Westhuizen's family and friends for his tragic passing.
Everyone at the House of Biltong and the Daily HoB would like to extend their deepest condolences to Burgert van der Westhuizen's family and friends for his tragic passing.
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