Jeffreys bay sh

Photo: Unsplash

Beaches in Jeffreys Bay closed, as surfer injured in ‘shark attack’

A 38-year-old surfer is receiving treatment in hospital, after he found himself on the wrong end of a shark attack in Jeffreys Bay this morning.

Jeffreys bay sh

Photo: Unsplash

A surfer in Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape has been rushed to hospital on Wednesday morning, after he was bitten during a shark attack at The Point. The Kouga Municipality has decided to close several beaches along the coastline following the incident, and urged locals to take all necessary precautions.

Jeffreys Bay shark attack – what we know so far

The victim, who has been identified as a 38-year-old male from Cape Town, was helped from the water by his fellow surfers, shortly after 7:00. He is now in a stable condition, but suffered significant puncture wounds to his leg and body.

Although details about the incident are not fully confirmed, it’s understood he was bumped off his board during the shark attack, and the sea-dwelling predator then moved rapidly to try and take a chunk out of its unsuspecting target.

Beaches closed after surfer ‘bumped from board’

As a precaution, the NSRI has launched a sea rescue craft, at the request of Kouga Municipality, to patrol the water lines and alert surfers who may not yet be aware of this shark attack. In a statement, the Institute said:

“NSRI are appealing to surfers, bathers, and paddlers to be cautious around the Jeffreys Bay coastline after a 38-year-old Cape Town man was bitten by a shark while surfing at The Point, Jeffreys Bay. Kouga Municipality has closed beaches in Jeffreys Bay following this shark incident. He was assisted out of the water by his fellow surfers.”

“Paramedics treated the man on the scene for puncture wounds to his right leg and his torso and he has been transported to hospital in a stable condition. It appears that while surfing fellow surfers saw the man appear to fall off his board. It was then discovered, according to eye-witness reports, that he was bumped off his board and bitten by a shark.”