Giant shark attacks CT woman
15/11/2004 08:59 - (SA)
Tisha Steyn
Cape Town - A shark attacked an elderly woman off Fish Hoek beach on Monday morning.
Darren Zimmermann, station commander at Simon's Town and a paramedic at Cape Medical Response, told News24 a member of the public alerted police about the attack at 07:00.
Zimmermann said according to witnesses the shark "took her, leaving her lying in the water, and then came back for her again, leaving only her hat floating".
He said the woman, a Fish Hoek resident of over 70, used to swim at the beach every morning.
The shark attacked her about 50m from the catwalk, about 80m from the beach.
An Air Mercy Service helicopter had seen the shark, which is believed to have been over seven metres long. It was still inside the bay, and the beach was closed to bathers and surfers.
Rescue 10, the National Sea Rescue Institute's Simon's Town office, harbour patrol boats and lifesavers were looking for the body.
He said the woman's name would be made known once her relatives have been informed.
