Teen recovering after Buffels Bay shark attack
A 19-year-old surfer is still receiving treatment in hospital following a shark attack at Buffels Bay in the Western Cape over the weekend.
Caleb Swanepoel from Prins Albert suffered complete amputation of his right leg above the knee and lacerations to his left leg from the shark bite. According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Swanepoel was on a bodyboard when the attack happened on Saturday, George Herald reported.
“Two of Swanepoel’s brothers that were in the water with him at the time, and fellow boarders and surfers, rescued him from the surf. A shark emergency kit was immediately provided by the Buffel’s Bay caravan park,” Craig Lambinon from the NSRI said.
Lambinon commended the help of the local doctor who was on hand, as well as the support given by Swanepoel’s family, friends, fellow bodyboarders, surfers and bystanders, who all played a part in helping Swanepoel prior to the arrival of the NSRI and emergency services.
“This all greatly contributed to saving his life,” said Lambinon.
Swanepoel remains in a stable condition at a hospital in George.
A day before Swanepoel’s attack, 23-year-old UCT student Dylan Reddering had to be rescued from the water by fellow surfers after being bitten by a shark while surfing in Plettenberg Bay.
He reportedly suffered lacerations and bite marks on the right side of his body, on his ribs, on his buttocks and on his leg. He was stabilised at the Plettenberg Bay Medi-Clinic before being transferred to Life Care Knysna Private Hospital for further medical treatment.
Last year, a 20-year-old man was bitten by a white shark while surfing at Muizenberg Beach, Cape Town, the National Sea Rescue Institute said.
A friend helped him out of the water, spokesperson Craig Lambinon said in a statement.
“He was found with multiple lacerations to his lower limbs, some of which are deep lacerations, and an avulsion (tear) to the left thigh.”
Lambinon said a member of the public tied the surfboard’s leash around the man’s leg to stop the bleeding. Paramedics airlifted him to hospital in a stable condition.
Read more: Shark attack at Muizenberg
– Caxton News Service
Read original story on www.georgeherald.com
