Incident Report
Surfer Attacked by Great White Shark Off Eastern Cape Coast
A 22-year-old surfer was severely bitten by a 5.5-meter great white shark at Cintsa East in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province. Despite suffering deep lacerations to his thigh and severe blood loss, he survived after quick action by beachgoers and emergency responders.
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Incident Profile
Circumstances
Environmental
Individual
Location
Description
On the afternoon of May 6, 1990, Richard William Forrester, a 22-year-old surfer, was resting on his surfboard approximately 100 meters offshore at Cintsa East, in the Indian Ocean near East London, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The water conditions were favorable—clear with at least 10 meters of visibility and a temperature of 22°C. At approximately 12:00, while facing seaward and waiting for a wave, Forrester caught sight of white movement from the corner of his eye. A 5.5-meter great white shark, identified by witnesses and tooth marks, attacked from his right side and behind, dragging him underwater. Forrester's response during the 30-second attack demonstrated remarkable composure. After realizing what was occurring, he deliberately located the shark's eye and gouged it with his fingers. The shark immediately released him and disappeared. He surfaced, alerted others in the water of the danger, and paddled to shore on a wave, with assistance from nearby friend James Law. The injury was severe. The shark's upper jaw teeth created a deep laceration in the posterior right thigh, measuring 15-20 centimeters deep, cutting through soft tissue and reaching the femur. The impact severed the sciatic nerve in two places and ruptured the capsule of the popliteal artery, though the artery itself remained intact. Additional bite marks appeared on the anterior thigh and inner left thigh. Shark tooth fragments were recovered during surgery. Emergency response was critical to Forrester's survival. Lifesaver Brian Breetzke immediately contacted emergency services and began monitoring vital signs. By the time doctors arrived, Forrester had lost significant blood volume, showing signs of hypovolemic shock with an absent peripheral pulse. Multiple doctors established intravenous lines and administered fluids and morphine. Despite the severity of his injuries and blood loss, Forrester survived the incident, though the sciatic nerve damage resulted in permanent injury to his lower leg function.