In 2 separate incidents, on Saturday, 26 October, a man was bitten by a marine animal at Blue Waters, False Bay, and a man was bitten by a seal at Big Bay, Bloubergstrand.
NSRI, City authorities, lifeguards and the emergency services, are appealing to bathers to be cautious in and around coastal water. Swim at beaches protected by lifeguards.
At 13h00, Saturday, 26 October, the City of Cape Town (CoCT) water rescue network was activated by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre), and by Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services – Fire Control, following an emergency call to the CoCT 107 emergency number, reporting a man bitten by a marine animal while wading in the surf in chest deep water, at Blue Waters Beach, False Bay.
CoCT ASLC (Alpha Surf Lifesaving Club) lifeguards medically attended to the (believed to be) 65 year old local man who had been bitten on a hand and a leg by an as yet undetermined small marine animal.
The man who was bitten, and bystanders, suspected that the animal may have been a small shark. The bite wounds are being investigated by authorities to determine the species.
WC Government Health EMS Metro Control dispatched Life Healthcare response paramedics, an EMS rescue paramedic and an EMS ambulance.
Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services and CoCT Law Enforcement responded.
Paramedics, Law Enforcement and Fire and Rescue Services joined the CoCT Alpha Surf lifeguards on the scene while the SA Police Services and NSRI Strandfontein were placed on alert.
CoCT Alpha Surf lifeguards had quickly notified responding services that the man was out of the water and in good spirits, in their care, on the beach, and the lifeguards had bandaged his wounds. He was walking wounded.
The man was transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a stable condition for further care.
Alpha Surf lifeguards are commended for quickly attending to the matter.
Later, on Saturday, it was reported by Western Province Lifesaving, BBSLC (Big Bay Surf Lifesaving Club), and Big Bay Events, that a local male had sustained a small seal bite wound while on an open water swim.
The man was advised to clean the wound and to attend at a hospital for further care and evaluation of the bite.
CoCT authorities were notified of the incident.
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Fun South African Fact: It’s believed that Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain is one of the oldest mountains in the world. Table mountain is approximately 260 million years old; it’s also home to thousands of species of plant life, including species unique to the Cape Floral Region. The glorious mountain is one of the world’s 7 New Natural Wonders. It is also apparently one of 12 main energy centres on the planet emitting spiritual, magnetic, and electric energies. It’s an idyllic and very popular hiking destination with hundreds of routes to explore.