Diver airlifted to hospital after shark attack in Transkei

A man, believed to be around 40-years-old, has survived a shark attack in Mdumbi, Transkei.

The attack took place around 14h00 on Monday (1 May). The man had been free diving.

Bruce Sandman, NSRI Headquarters Operations Manager, said NSRI Mdumbi lifeguards and NSRI Headquarters lifeguard instructors, who were fortunately in the area conducting lifeguard training, responded.

“On arrival on the scene it was found that a local adult man had sustained lacerations from a shark bite and he was in a stable condition.

“He was transported by private transport to a local medical clinic where he was attended to by a doctor,” said Sandman.

NSRI said the man was in a stable condition, and was airlifted to hospital in the care of EMS paramedics for further medical care. He is recovering.

NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), an NSRI Headquarters Operations duty controller, NSRI East London duty controllers and NSRI Eastern Cape regional duty controllers alerted the EC Government Health EMS who dispatched their EMS helicopter, Mercy Wing 9.

NSRI and local authorities are appealing to bathers in the area to be cautious.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is the charity organisation that saves lives on South African waters – both coastal and inland. Please support them here:
www.nsri.org.za