Spearfisher Attacked by Great White off New South Wales Coast

On January 27, 1958, Ronald Kerwand, a 17-year-old Navy diver from Peakhurst, Sydney, was spearfishing with five companions from a raft approximately 200 yards offshore near Sussex Inlet on the south coast of New South Wales. The group was operating near the mouth of Berara Lake (also known as Canal Lagoon) in the Tasman Sea. When one of Kerwand's companions speared a fish, Kerwand swam approximately 20 yards toward the raft to retrieve it. Without warning, a large shark—estimated at approximately 10 feet in length—struck him with tremendous force. Kerwand described the impact as comparable to being tackled in a flying tackle, experiencing the force of the collision but notably no initial pain. Responding instinctively, Kerwand kicked at the shark with both feet and punched it with his hands. The shark disengaged and withdrew, leaving the young diver with a severe eight-inch bone-deep laceration to his right leg and thigh. Kerwand remained conscious and swam approximately 20 yards back to the floating platform, where his companions immediately applied tourniquets to control bleeding. The group paddled to shore and rushed Kerwand 30 miles over rough bush tracks to Shoalhaven District Hospital. Upon arrival, he was in shock and underwent two surgical procedures to repair the extensive tissue damage. Medical staff expressed cautious optimism regarding limb salvage. Kerwand received blood transfusions and his condition was reported as satisfactory. The incident occurred during afternoon hours with favorable moon phase conditions (First Quarter, January 28, 1958).