NSRI Gordon’s Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched sea rescue craft, the SA Police Force, the Skymed rescue helicopter and WC Government Health: EMS responded to the scene.

On arrival on-scene the body of a 20 year old Camps Bay man was found on rocks on the shore and the body has been recovered by NSRI rescue volunteers and EMS rescue personnel and handed into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services.

The deceased man sustained complete amputation of his right leg, below the hip, while body boarding with his brother and friends (it is believed 4 people were in the water at the time) and he was rescued from the water by his brother, friends and bystanders.

There are no other bite marks or lacerations on the deceased mans body – only the complete amputation of the right leg and the leg has not been recovered.

The deceased mans father arrived on-scene and Police Trauma Counsellors are assisting the family.

Eye-witnesses have told NSRI that a single 4 to 5 meter (believed to be) White shark was involved in this incident.

Eye-witnesses claim that following the incident (up to) 6 sharks were counted in the area (following the incident).

Police will only release the deceased mans name once absolutely certain that all family are informed.

Returning home from work together in one car (returning from Pollsmoor Prison where they are voluntary spiritual guidance counsellors), a regular occurrence, they normally look out for whales as they round Clovelly Corner on Main Road bound for Fish Hoek. Today (28 September) they saw a man swimming comfortably, about 25 meters out to sea and swimming in the direction of Fish Hoek, but a dark shape loomed in front of the swimmer, about 30 meters from the swimmer, and heading directly at him.

As the dark shape grew closer to the swimmer the 2 men realized it was a shark.

Feeling compelled to warn the swimmer they quickly drove into the car park and raced onto the beach but it was too late, the swimmer was struggling in the water in a pool of blood having been bitten by the shark.

Without hesitation the 2 good samaritans kicked off their shoes and plunged into the water and waded through the surf to reach the injured swimmer. Douglas had called the emergency services before plunging into the water himself.

As they reached the swimmer Hugh grabbed the swimmer by the hand while Douglas grabbed Hugh and he dragged them shorewards.

At this stage bystanders were screaming at the men, who both admit that progress was slow going, that the shark was now headed at them, not 10 meters from them, when a seal appeared and swam between the men and the shark and then kept circling the men appearing (although this will probably never be able to be proved) to be fending off the shark from the rescue effort!

They managed to get the victim safely onto the beach.

As the men reached the beach one of the shark spotters on the beach immediately tied his belt around the stump of the victims amputated right leg as a tourniquet. The 2 good samaritans and other bystanders reassured the victim and another belt, from Douglas, was used as an additional tourniquet.

Rescuers on the scene and eye-witnesses confirmed that a shark remained close to the scene throughout the medical efforts to save the victim and it has been confirmed that a seal was swimming close by during the entire episode and eye-witnesses confirmed that the seal circled the men as they gradually waded ashore with the victim in the ever presence of a shark that remained close by throughout and appeared to be advancing on the rescue effort.

CMR (Cape Medical Response) paramedics Darren Zimmerman (also station commander of NSRI Simonstown) and Kim Yon arrived on-scene first and found the pale and weak patient struggling to breathe with a weak thready pulse and no blood pressure. The patient was fully conscious and the two paramedics applied oxygen and turned the man’s body placing his head downhill of the beach in an effort to try to bring up his blood pressure while bilateral intravenous fluid lines were set up in both the mans arms before being joined by further paramedics. The patient had a strong pulse and a blood pressure by the time he was loaded into the air ambulance for transportation to hospital.

The patient remains in a serious condition and is undergoing surgery in theatre.

Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and the doctors who are fighting to save his limb.

The NSRI commend the efforts of the two humble good samaritans, Douglas and Hugh, and those efforts of Darren and Kim and the emergency services.

Original Article: Fish Hoek Shark Attack

Video of the aftermath:

NSRI Simonstown volunteer duty crew launched their sea rescue craft and EMT (Emergency Medical Treatment) paramedics, CMR (Cape Medical Response) paramedics, Metro EMS, ER-24 private ambulance service, the Discovery ER-24 helicopter, Disaster Management and Fish Hoek Surf Lifeguards responded.

The SA Police Services, responded to assist.

On arrival on-scene a 42 year old man was found on the shore suffering complete amputation of his right leg, above the knee, and partial amputation of his left leg, below the knee. It appears he was rescued from the water by a bystander who left the scene before we could identify him.

The 42 year old man is believed to be a British citizen but resident locally in South Africa, and believed to be from Plumstead, but this has not yet been confirmed.

The man was stabilized on-scene by paramedics and airlifted to Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic hospital by the Discovery ER-24 helicopter in a critical condition but he is now believed to have been stabilized.

The man was conscious when paramedics attended to him on the beach but was sedated on-scene by paramedics in their efforts to stabilize the patient.

From what we understand the City of Cape Town shark spotters had flown the “sharks present – no swimming” flags since early this morning and bathers to Fish Hoek and the individual had personally been warned, by the shark spotters, not to swim due to the presence of at least 3 White Sharks visible in the water close inshore since this morning.

At this time of year warnings are also posted, through the press, by NSRI and the City of Cape Town warning of higher than normal concentrations of shark activity close in-shore particularly along the False Bay coastline where shark researchers have identified the phenomenon of increased shark activity close inshore.

We are encouraging bathers and surfers not to enter the water today and to be generally cautious swimming or surfing along the False Bay Coastline and, where shark spotters are present, to obey the shark spotters instructions.

Is this the toothed aggressor hanging around after the attack?

The review was undertaken to establish the correct information surrounding the death of Mr Skinner. The shark spotters on duty, eyewitnesses and shark experts were interviewed to determine what
might have caused the attack and whether it could have been avoided.

Key findings of the review were that spotting conditions were not ideal at the time of the attack, as indicated by the black flag that was raised by the two shark spotters on duty. All indications are that the shark emerged from deep water where it was not visible and attacked the victim within seconds once it was on the surface. There were about 12 -15 other bathers in the water at the time, but Mr Skinner was substantially deeper than any of them.

The investigation has also ascertained that Mr Skinner was in the vicinity of a large school of fish, which was an important factor in drawing the shark into the area.

For these reasons, it is believed that the tragic shark attack could not have been avoided.

After these findings, the key recommendations are that:

• The City should increase the size and visibility of shark information signage along its coastline
• The City could consider erecting mobile or temporary signs to alert people when great white sharks frequent Cape Town’s water more
• Even though the shark spotting programme remains an effective early warning system, the programme could invest further in emergency training for its staff
• The City install permanent signage in the area between the Galley Restaurant and Jaggers Walk, as well as along Jaggers Walk indicating that it is unsafe for bathing due to the presence of sharks
• The City should recommend to its communities (especially surfers and kayakers) that they have the choice to use personal shark shields

The City would again like to extend its condolences to the family of Mr Loyd Skinner.

Martin Pollack

We would be very grateful if thanks could be extended to all concerned that were involved in the search and rescue, and post- attack operations relating to the fatal shark attack on Lloyd Skinner on Tuesday 12th January, 2010.

From the initial contact with the Fish Hoek  Lifesavers, NSRI, Fish Hoek Police, Trauma Support Unit, ‘Nippers’ moms – FHSLC, Save Our Seas Shark Centre, Fish Hoek Life Saving Club staff, members of Fish Hoek Community and many others who helped without even making us aware of who they were.  The kindness and support shown to Lloyd’s partner Debby Paine immediately following the incident was unparalleled.  Special mention should be made of Janeen Orford, Ian Klopper and Mike Schilperoort.

Lloyd had spent many vacations in Fish Hoek and was very happy following his love of the outdoor pursuits, of road running, fishing and of course swimming. The Fish Hoek community were always hospitable and it was no wonder Lloyd returned time and time again to this town.

A memorial service has been arranged for Lloyd in Harare Zimbabwe and will be held on Friday 22nd January.  A remarkable and accomplished man in his professional career, his sporting achievements, and in his personal relationships.

Once again our sincere thanks to all concerned who we have come into contact with.

(Signed)

John and Margie Skinner (Lloyd’s parents)
Diane and Debra Skinner (Lloyd’s sisters)
Debby Paine  (Lloyd’s partner)

RIP Lloyd Skinner