The NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated on Tuesday afternoon following eye-witness reports of a shark incident involving a swimmer at Sanctuary Beach, on the Robberg side of Robberg 5, Plettenberg Bay.

NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene and 2 NSRI rescue craft were launched.

On arrival on the scene the body of an adult male, believed to be a local man, was located and recovered from the water, at the back surf line, onto an NSRI rescue craft. The body was brought to the NSRI Plettenberg Bay rescue station.

An NSRI doctor, WC Government Health EMS and the SA Police Services responded.

Sadly injuries sustained are fatal and the man was declared deceased by the doctor.

Family of the deceased man are in the care of Police and counsellors.

The Bitou Municipality has closed beaches in Plettenberg Bay.

The NSRI and Bitou Municipality are appealing to sea users – bathers, paddlers, sailors and boaters – in Plettenberg Bay and along the Southern Cape coastline to exercise caution following this fatal incident.