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Shark attacks student
04/06/2005 22:31 - (SA)
Cape Town - A Stellenbosch student has apparently become the latest victim of a shark attack in False Bay, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said on Saturday.
Henri Murray, 22, was apparently attacked by the shark about 200 - 300m off Miller's Point near Simon's Town about 15:30.
A Metro Rescue Red Cross helicopter and an NSRI boat scrambled to conduct a search for the missing student.
A civilian catamaran craft also assisted with the search, as did the Metro Emergency Medical Services, the local SA police dive unit and other police.
"An extensive search was carried out for Henry Murray from Durbanville, who has been attacked by a suspected great white shark while spear-fishing with a friend, Piet van Niekerk, 23 from Stellenbosch, who was able to get out of the water safely," said Dr Cleeve Robertson, director of emergency medical services.
Both were students at Stellenbosch University, he said.
Rescue services reportedly found only the floatation buoy that is normally attached to the spear-gun. Police divers also found the spear-gun, a flipper, a mask, a snorkel and parts of a weight belt belonging to Murray.
Darren Zimmerman, NSRI Simon's Town station commander said: "A southerly 10-knot wind and half-metre swells and clear sea visibility assisted rescuers to achieve a thorough search of the area.
"Police divers and metro emergency medical services will resume the search on Sunday morning. NSRI Simon's Town will be on alert to assist if necessary.
"It appears that Piet van Niekerk managed to shoot the shark with his spear-gun but it has not been determined if this had any effect.
"The Simon's Town Police arranged trauma councillors to begin counselling Piet van Niekerk and family members of Henri Murray," Zimmerman said.
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