Shark Kills Swimmer in Backline near Robberg

SHARKY: White sharks are common off Robberg. Photo by Gerald Schömbs on Unsplash

NSRI spokesperson Craig said that at 2pm yesterday Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following eye witness reports of a shark going for a swimmer at the beach, which is on the Robberg side of Robberg 5 Beach. The Robberg headland is a common area for great white shark sightings.

Rescue swimmers from the NSRI responded directly to the scene and two NSRI rescue craft were launched, he said. "On arrival on the scene the body of an adult male, believed to be a local man, was located and recovered from the water, at the back surf line, onto an NSRI rescue craft. The man was brought to the NSRI Plettenberg Bay rescue station."

He said that an NSRI doctor, WC Government Health Emergency Medical Services MS and the SA police responded but sadly injuries sustained were fatal and the man was declared deceased. The family of the man were in the care of police and counsellors. Lambinon conveyed his condolences are conveyed to the family of the deceased man.

Bitou Municipality has closed beaches in Plettenberg Bay, while the NSRI and Bitou Municipality have appealed to ocean users - bathers, paddlers, sailors and boaters - in Plettenberg Bay and along the Southern Cape coastline to exercise caution following the incident.