Posted by on June 06, 2005 at 07:03:17:
In Reply to: South Africa: Diver missing after Cape shark attack posted by on June 05, 2005 at 00:09:13:
Cape Town - A fifth-year medical student desperately fought off a Great White at Miller's Point on Saturday, twice managing to scare it away.
But the shark attacked Henri Murray, 22, for a third time, locking its powerful jaws around the young man.
Murray and Piet van Niekerk, 23, were spear-fishing when the shark attacked.
The attack took place at about 15:45, approximately 200m from shore in 6m-deep water.
Henri saw the shark and warned his friend that they should get out of the water, his father, George Murray, said on Sunday.
Van Niekerk shot the shark with his speargun, but it would not let go of Murray.
On Sunday, a severely traumatised Van Niekerk took part in the search for Henri's remains.
Henri's speargun, weight belt, diving goggles, snorkel and a flippers were found on Saturday.
The top of his red wetsuit washed ashore at Muizenberg. The keys to his car were in one of the suit's pockets.
At their Durbanville home on Sunday, Henri's parents, George and Lizette, said they accepted that it had been "his time to go".
He was the third of five sons and was described by his mother as the "pillar in the centre".
The family said their faith would see them through this difficult time.
"People often go overboard after a shark attack, but there are far more dangerous sports than water sports," his father said.
"It's safer to dive than to drive a car.
"I was always a lot more worried when Henri went rock climbing."