Shark attack in Mozambique - what we know so far
by Admin on Dec.24, 2009, under News
Ponta do Oura beach
Yesterday, local South African radio stations and news sites carried an article about an attack by a shark on a swimmer at Ponta do Ouro in Mozambique. It was reported that the swimmer lost an arm and a leg in the attack.
So, for example here’s one of the reports:
Article By: Matshidiso Madia
Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:19
A South African teenager has survived a shark attack at a popular Mozambican diving spot.
The teen was swimming in the Ponte de Ora Bay on Tuesday afternoon when the shark attacked him.
The boy was airlifted to a hospital in KwaZulu-Natal.
e-block watch’s André Snyman, who is on holiday close to where the attack happened, said: “The teenager has lost and arm and a leg.”
However, it’s not quite that sensationalist. Courtesy of Debbie Mather-Pike and Elaine Botha, (from Ponta do Oura) here’s the true story:
THE TRUE STORY
The truth is that a 27 year old male was swimming in the bay yesterday and was attacked by a +/- 2.5 m shark (tiger or zambie but unknown).
He was stabilised on the scene, and taken to Manguzi Hospital. He was conscious and responsive to all questions and even jokes.
Last night he was taken to Empangeni Hospital and admitted.
Spoke to the attending doctor this morning. He said that the victim was fine, going into surgery to be cleaned up and stitched and was expected to make a full recovery. He did go into shock from fluid loss, but this has since been administered and he is stable.
He will be fine but will have big scars on his right back & shoulder area.
I understand that Radio 702 was contacted and informed of the “true story”, however their reaction was very disappointing. Apparantly, the reporter contacted did not even write down the new facts and uninterestingly just said thanks and put the phone down. It seems they want to create sensationalism first and apologize later for their stupid error.
A helicopter has searched extensively for the shark but so far no further sightings. Interestingly fishermen spent ages fishing the bay in a attempt to catch the shark, post the attack.
Fishermen and holidaymakers on the beach
Elaine had the following comments to make: “holiday makers were annoyed by this phenomenon which is not common to Ponta Bay as we are naturally protected by a school of dophin who live here. Very strange. The shark remained in the shallow breakwater all afternoon and jumped out the water a few times where it could be seen by all watching from the beach.
December 24th, 2009 on 6:15 am
Myself and my boyfriend were swimming at the time of the incident and his father was 3rd person on the scene to help the young guy. The incident happened 15-20m from where we were swimming, and we witnessed this very scary attack first hand.
We were alerted by the screams of his girlfriend and many people screaming “Shark”. We were still in the water when I saw the guy fall onto his back on the beach. It was very clear that he really faught for his life and was amazingly very calm when he collapsed on the beach, probably due to shock. His wounds were severe and definately not the teeth marks of a raggie. If it were a raggie the bite marks would have been far different. His bite wounds were spaced apart and very deep as if it were a miniature great white…..Zambezi for sure……who knows
Our “neighbouring” campers said they knew the owner of the helicopter and that there was not only one shark but a few. We saw the helicopter return after airlifting the guy, and they were circling the area looking for the “attackers”.
Was the most scary situation we have ever encountered, and although many poeple are back in the water, we will never be. Still having nightmares about it, and it is a story that will never leave our minds. Our hearts and thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. We will never forget her cries and prayers when she was by his side. Wanted to throw my arms around her and comfort her. We shall never know the true story until it has been told from the young mans mouth…..Look forward to the updates.
Gina and Ronnie
December 24th, 2009 on 7:14 am
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December 24th, 2009 on 7:25 am
Sympathies to the guy who was bitten. It still however baffles that 20 000 odd die on our roads every year, Thabo’s ostrich take on HIV and AIDS has killed however many thousands, one shark makes a mistake and the public goes bos. Its the sharks world and we are guests, enjoy it with the risks or stay on the beach thats the long and the short of it.
December 24th, 2009 on 9:02 am
Thanks for the information Gina. Must have been pretty scary for the two of you. I hope it goes well for you both and you manage to put it behind you. It’s not the shark’s fault, it’s just what can happen when you’re in the water. Happy holidays to you both.
December 24th, 2009 on 10:02 am
Greetings, sorry about the man that was bitten. But, whats the exact location of the attack?
December 24th, 2009 on 11:07 am
All I can tell you is that it was in the bay at Ponta do Oura - the victim was swimming there.
December 24th, 2009 on 12:40 pm
Ok, thanks. Word is that there still more sharks around the beach :/
December 30th, 2009 on 9:49 am
Hello,
Sorry the poor guy got bitten,but we swim in the sharks back yard and very few “attacks”have been recorded at Ponto.Maybe we will get back the old uncrowded,laid back Ponto we used to know.
Yours in diving.
January 21st, 2010 on 6:15 am
To Shaun Venske
First of all a beach is part of the way some people spend their holiday days together. No one camps and the side of the road or on the hospitals lawn to wait for something to happen: Whether its an accident or HIV… Dunno if you maybe do so… But seriously, keep your comments to yourself. And Duh we all know we’re in the sharks teritory, that’s kinda common sense… Then maybe you should stay of the roads coz its the cars teritory…