Posted by on June 05, 2005 at 10:02:53:
In Reply to: South Africa: Diver missing after Cape shark attack posted by on June 05, 2005 at 00:09:13:
In a horrific attack off Miller's Point on Saturday a massive shark came out of the depths, seized young spearfisherman, Henri Murray, 22, of Durbanville and disappeared with him underwater.
His dive buddy, Piet van Niekerk, 23, apparently shot the creature with his speargun in a desperate attempt to drive it away but he did not see his friend again.
Both divers, who were spearfishing about 100 metres off the point in front of the Black Marlin restaurant, are believed to be students at Stellenbosch University, the victim a medical student, according to one source.
Head of Cape Town emergency services Doctor Cleeve Robertson said Van Niekerk was extremely traumatised after the attack which happened at about 3.45pm.
"He saw his friend being hit by a very big shark and he shot it to try to chase it away before swimming for shore and running for help."