Incident Report
Spearfisher Sustains Severe Injuries in Great White Shark Encounter off Cape Agulhas
A 43-year-old spearfisher was bitten by a great white shark in the Indian Ocean near Ryspunt, Western Cape, on June 23, 2016. He sustained severe lacerations to his left leg and defensive wounds to his right hand. Quick action by fellow spearfishers and emergency responders helped stabilize his condition.
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Incident Profile
Circumstances
Environmental
Individual
Location
Description
On the morning of June 23, 2016, a 43-year-old spearfisher from Betty's Bay was conducting a spearfishing expedition with friends in the Indian Ocean off Ryspunt, near Cape Agulhas in Western Cape Province, South Africa. The encounter occurred in open ocean waters where the sea surface temperature measured approximately 61°F. During the activity, a great white shark approached and bit the victim, inflicting multiple deep lacerations to his left leg, including his thigh region, and an avulsion injury approximately 10 centimeters in length. The victim sustained additional lacerations to his right hand—defensive wounds incurred as he attempted to defend himself against the shark. Immediate response proved critical to survival. Fellow spearfishers employed an improvised tourniquet technique using rubber bands from their spearguns to control bleeding before transporting the victim to Arniston Harbor. Upon arrival, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) medics and Fire and Rescue Services paramedics provided emergency treatment including wound dressings, oxygen administration, and intravenous fluids. An EMS ambulance transported him to a hospital in Bredasdorp where his condition was stabilized. Due to the severity of his injuries, the victim was airlifted via EMS/AMS Skymed helicopter to Cape Gate Mediclinic in Cape Town, arriving in serious but stable condition. The rapid coordinated response from bystanders and emergency services significantly contributed to the positive outcome of this severe shark encounter.