Local news
UPDATE: Wild Coast shark survivor ‘Chillies’ back home safe and sound
Nkululeko 'Chillies' Mphehlule had tried to flee from the shark which he had spotted while diving.
The 39-year-old diver from Tshani Village, Nkululeko ‘Chillies’ Mphehlule, who survived severe lacerations from a shark bite off the Wild Coast recently, considers himself lucky to be alive. He is now back home with family and friends, recovering from his injuries.
A post on Facebook page: Cool Bananas at Mdumbi River, Tshani Village, Transkei Wild Coast explains that Chillies was diving off Secret Beach near Mngcibe Village, just north of the Mdumbi River mouth at around noon on Monday, May 1 when he was bitten on the shoulder.
Chillies had tried to flee from the shark which he had spotted, and as he attempted to swim away, the shark allegedly accelerated toward him and grabbed him by the shoulder.
He struggled with the shark for a few seconds before it released him and swam away. This gave Chillies the chance to reach the shore.
The post further said that help was summoned from a nearby holiday lodge.
The owner of the lodge attended the scene and requested assistance via local internet providers and WhatsApp groups.
Within a few minutes the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) had been notified and private vehicles were on there way to the beach.
After some great team work from many different role players, Chillies was on his way to Zithulele Hospital while both the NSRI and Eastern Cape Emergency Medical Services had their helicopters ready to respond.
EMS Mercy Wing 9, that was on its way to Secret Beach, was then re-routed by NSRI Controllers to head to Zithulele Hospital where Chillies was further stabilised, treated and then airlifted and flown to the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital at Mthatha for observations and tests to check bone and blood vessels.
Chillies was back at Zithulele Hospital yesterday where he collected his treatment and was released to go home.
He was fetched after lunchtime and was taken home to his family who were over the moon to see him back home safely, especially his mother, Nompumelelo.
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