SOUTH AFRICAN - FISH HOEK BEACH - SHARK DEATH

Dateline 14-01-2010

SCS Honorary Life Members Chris & Monique Fallows live and work close to where this accident happened, here is their report to the Society.

"Ian Klopper, NSRI helicopter rescue commander, said: A 37 year old Zimbabwean man remains missing after eye-witnesses observed him being bitten by a shark 100 metres off Fish Hoek beach at approximately 15h18 today.

An extensive search by rescue craft from NSRI Simonstown, the Metro Red Cross AMS helicopter and a lifeguard rescue rubber duck has revealed no sign of the missing man and a Police Dive Unit will join in the ongoing search at first light tomorrow.

The NSRI are in close contact with the mans family in Zimbabwe but the name of the man will not be released until his sisters can be reached abroad.

At Fish Hoek beach today the shark spotters black flag, warning of shark activity in the area, was flying at the time and although shark spotters were on-duty at the time no sign of the shark was observed prior to the incident.

Sea conditions remain poor vizibility due to murky water which has prevented a dive search immediately.

The missing man is from Harare, Zimbabwe, although he lived in the Congo for some time and was in Cape Town for the past 10 days with his partner and was due to leave for the United Kingdom in a weeks time.

According to eye-witnesses the man had waded into the surf approximately 100 metres off-shore and he was standing in chest deep water when the incident took place.

The NSRI and shark spotters continue to warn of increased shark activity close in-shore on the False Bay coast and bathers and surfers should leave the water when shark spotters sound the alarm and caution swimming and surfing along this stretch of coast."

SCS member Karen Wilson is in South Africa at present doing voluntary work in Gansbaii. Karen's report was identical to that of Chris & Monique, but Karen added that two Britons holidaying in the area claimed to have witnessed the incident so perhaps the Sun or similar will run their story when they get back to UK!