'When it's my time...'
2004-11-15 12:27
Tisha Steyn
Cape Town - Tyna Webb, a 78-year-old woman who was attacked by a shark at Fish Hoek beach on Monday morning, invariably said whenever she was warned against sharks: "When it's my time, it will be my time."
Lorraine Lemmon-Warde, one of a group of regular swimmers at the beach, told News24 Webb was about 30m from the men's change rooms near the Fish Hoek boardwalk when the shark took her.
"She was attacked in shallow water. She went down about three times. Then, all that was left was her swimming cap."
Between six and seven metres in length
Previous witness reports put the shark at between six and seven metres in length.
Lemmon-Ward said Webb lived alone above the Sunny Cove station in Fish Hoek.
Every morning she walked down to the beach and swam out to about 80m from the shore.
"The rest of us remained inside the break, but she was an incredible swimmer, and she went beyond," she told News24.
"She was a tall, very elegant, handsome lady. She was athletic and in excellent health.
"She swam every day, except on Sundays. Then she would walk down to the church."
Lemmon-Warde said the rest of the swimmers had warned her often to be careful.
This is the third Shark attack in the Western Cape this year. Earlier in 2004, a perlemoen poacher was killed by a shark in Gansbaai, and in April 17-year-old JP Andrew narrowly escaped after losing his right leg in a shark attack at Muizenburg.
Two sharks spotted on Sunday
Shark sightings in the Fish Hoek bay have increased dramatically over the past three years.
Lemmon-Warde said two sharks were seen on Sunday, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Lifesavers had warned people to leave the water, but they were not on duty on Monday.
"It could have been one of those sharks," said Lemmon-Warde.
Webb's children have been informed, she said. There are five children, two daughters who live in Noordhoek and Hermanus, a son in Durban and two sons overseas.
A News24 user in an e-mail said dragnet fishermen have been netting fish in the swimming area of Fish Hoek and there was fish debris in the water.
Apparently there used to be a marker buoy to keep fisherman out of the swimming area, but this was removed about a year ago.
"This is the result," he said.
Tips for avoiding shark attacks:
Avoid swimming with an open wound, as sharks can detect blood.
Don't swim at dawn, dusk, and at night when sharks are most active.
Avoid swimming in the vicinity of open rivers.
Don't swim alone, always swim in groups.
When visiting an unfamiliar area, always ask for local advice.
Be cautious, especially when spear fishing.
Obey instructions from lifeguards and other beach officials.
Source: Natal Sharks Board
Fish Hoek Webcam
- News24