2 Attacks in 1 Day

According to the NSRI, Caleb Swanepoel, who was also a UCT student, was pulled out of the water by two of his brothers and fellow body boarders and surfers at 2.40pm. The Buffels Bay Caravan provided a shark emergency kit. An emergency stabilisation was performed at the scene by prominent Knysna GP Dr Deidre Richman, say bystanders correcting the NSRI statement mentioning a "Dr Dee Richmond".

Yesterday's incident follows the attack on Dylan Reddering, who was also 19 and at UCT, on Friday late afternoon while surfing popular Look Out Beach in Plettenberg Bay. Reddering was in a stable conditions in hospital.

According to the NSRI, the emergency care provided by Doctor Richman and his family, friends, and fellow surfers prior to the arrival of emergency personnel helped save his life.

"NSRI Knysna described arriving on the scene to find the patient being well taken care of in an orderly and well controlled manner on the beach with the doctor using essential emergency medical equipment from the shark emergency kit that was immediately on hand."

Swanepoel remained in a stable but serious condition in hospital in George.

In the original statemtent by the NSRI, Declan Nurse, NSRI Knysna deputy station station commander, said: “At 14h38, Saturday, 27th June, NSRI Knysna duty crew were activated following reports of a surfer bitten by a shark while surfing at Buffels Bay, between Knysna and Sedgefield.

NSRI Knysna launched a sea rescue craft, vehicle and NSRI medical team, and Western Cape Health EMS, and ER24 ambulance services.

“A local doctor, who happened to be on the scene at the time of the incident with her husband, initiated emergency medical treatment (to the victim) who suffered complete amputation of his right leg above the knee and lacerations to his left leg from a shark bite.

“The NSRI medical team continued medical treatment to the patient who was conscious and in a serious but stable condition and he was loaded onto a surf board and carried to the parking area to an awaiting ER24 ambulance and paramedics assisted the NSRI doctor with emergency medical treatment to further stabilise the patient.

“Metro Control activated the EMS/AMS Skymed helicopter, which has airlifted the patient to the George Medi-Clinic in a stable but serious condition for further treatment.

Swanepoel was on holiday with his family.

After two encounters in one day, the NSRI "urged bathers and surfers to be cautious and to make an informed decision on whether or not to enter the water although it is advised not to enter the water in the area until Municipal Authorities advise further.

Two shark attacks also took place this weekend - at the Outer Banks in North Carolina, USA. According to the Associated Press, an 18-year-old swimmer was in critical condition yesterday after he was bitten near Rodanthe, while a 47-year-old man was attacked in Avon, also swimming, on Friday.

The Avon attacked resulted in lacerations to his right leg and lower back, while the Rodanthe attack resulted in lacerations to his right calf, buttocks and hands.

They both ended up at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Virginia.

In a further twist, a third double shark attack was reported this month, said AP. A 13-year old girl and 16-year old boy both lost limbs at Oak Island in North Carolina ... 90 minutes apart.