A surfer from Cape Town is in a stable condition and in good spirits after being bitten by a shark earlier today, May 3, while surfing at Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay.
Paul van Jaarsveld, NSRI Jeffreys Bay station commander, said at 17:30, May 3, NSRI Jeffreys Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a man bitten by a shark while surfing at Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay.
He said a bystander had raised the alarm and was provided with the access code to the NSRI shark bite kit stationed at that beach.
Van Jaarsveld said NSRI Jeffreys Bay rescue swimmers and NSRI medics responded directly to the scene while an NSRI rescue craft was prepared to be launched.
He further said Private Care ambulance services, Gardmed ambulance services, the SAPS and EC Government Health EMS responded.
“On arrival at the scene NSRI medics assisted public members who had already applied trauma pads to a bite wound sustained by the surfer who was safe out of the water,” said van Jaarsveld.
“The patient, believed to be aged 50, from Cape Town, was in a stable condition and he was in good spirits.”
Van Jaarsveld said an eyewitness reported that fellow surfers, who had initially retreated out of the water after being alerted that there had been an incident involving a shark, had returned to the surf to fetch the casualty out of the water.
He said paramedics took over care of the patient where he was secured onto a stretcher, brought off the beach and then transported to hospital by a Gardmed ambulance for further care.
Van Jaarsveld said NSRI commend the swift action of the public members, the good Samaritan and fellow surfers.
He said NSRI and Kouga Municipality are appealing to bathers, surfers and sea users in the area to be cautious following this incident.
NSRI emergency contact number is 087 094 9774.
