East Cape surfer killed by shark

2012-01-15 17:13

Johannesburg - A 25-year-old man was killed by a shark at Port St Johns Second beach on Sunday, the Eastern Cape health department said.

"This afternoon a swimmer from Port St Johns was attacked by a shark and struggled with it for about five minutes using his surf board," said spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo.

"A surfer who was next to him during the ordeal described the swimmer as being brave by fighting it. Unfortunately it injured him severely in both arms and in the chest," he said.

A second eyewitness raised the alarm for other swimmers to leave the water.

"A doctor who was amongst the swimmers tried to save his life along with paramedics who arrived at the beach. The man died on the way to a local health centre."

"Second beach is notorious for shark attacks and I am told that there is no [shark] net there," said Kupelo.

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- SAPA