The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has again urged beachgoers to only swim at beaches protected by lifeguards and has called for caution around the coastline. This follows two separate incidents in which bathers were bitten by a marine animal around Cape Town’s shoreline.
In 2 separate incidents, on Saturday, a man was bitten by a marine animal at Blue Waters, False Bay, and a man was bitten by a seal at Big Bay, Bloubergstrand.
The City of Cape Town (CoCT) water rescue network was activated by NSRI EOC and by Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services – Fire Control, following an emergency call reporting a man bitten by a marine animal while wading in the surf in chest-deep water, at Blue Waters Beach, False Bay.
According to the NSRI, lifeguards medically attended to the local man, believed to be 65 years old, who had been bitten on a hand and a leg by a yet undetermined small marine animal.
“The man who was bitten, and bystanders, suspected that the animal may have been a small shark.” – NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon
Lambinon says the bite wounds are being investigated by authorities to determine the species.
Following the incident, CoCT Alpha Surf lifeguards quickly notified responding services that the man was out of the water and in good spirits, in their care, on the beach. Lifeguards had bandaged his wounds and he was able to continue walking.
The man was transported to the hospital by EMS ambulance in stable condition for further care.
“Alpha Surf lifeguards are commended for quickly attending to the matter.”
Later on Saturday in a separate incident, it was reported by Western Province Lifesaving, BBSLC (Big Bay Surf Lifesaving Club), and Big Bay Events, that a local male had sustained a small seal bite wound while on an open water swim in Bloubergstrand.
The man was advised to clean the wound and to attend a hospital for further care and evaluation of the bite.
