Posted by on November 15, 2004 at 21:00:16:
Cape Town
A great white shark estimated to be at least five metres long attacked and killed an elderly South African woman Monday off a beach near Cape Town, officials said.
Tyna Webb, 77, who lived in the area, was swimming Monday off Sunny Cove in Fish Hoek when the massive shark circled her and then attacked, witnesses and officials said. About 15 people witnessed the attack.
“All that was left was a little red bathing cap,” said Paul Dennett, who witnessed the attack from his home nearby.
Mr. Dennett estimated the shark to be at least five metres long.
Rescue workers using boats and aircraft to search for the woman's body later spotted the shark. Great whites often are seen in the area feeding off the large seal population.
“The shark is bigger than the helicopter ... it is huge,” a crewman said.
Law enforcement officials advised people not to swim along the Cape of Good Hope.