By Neelam Rahim

Horrified onlookers alerted the authorities after spotting the person being mauled by the beast at Sanctuary Beach in Plettenberg Bay.

The National Sea Rescue rushed to the scene and launched two rescue crafts.

“On arrival at the scene, the body of a male person, believed to be an area, was recovered from the water from the rear surf line onto an NSRI rescue craft,” said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.

“The body was dropped at the NSRI Plettenberg Bay rescue station,” said an NSRI doctor,

Western Cape EMS and also the South African Police Services responded. Sadly, the injuries were fatal; therefore, the man was declared deceased by the doctor,” said Lambinon.

The Bitou Municipality is asking sea users to watch after the fatal attack. Lambinon said that the Bitou Municipality had closed beaches within the area following the incident.

“Condolences are conveyed to the family of the deceased man. The NSRi and Bitou Municipality appeal to sea users bathes, sailors, paddlers and boaters in Plettenberg Bay and on the Southern Cape coastline to exercise caution following this fatal incident,” Lambinon said.

A hiker, Gunnar Sigge, captured a video of a shark along the Southern Cape coastline bay just minutes before the attack occurred.

Mr Sigge, who was on holiday in Plettenberg Bay, captured the video at 2.10 pm.

“The NSRI and Bitou Municipality are appealing to sea users, bathes, sailors, paddlers and boaters in Plettenberg Bay and also on the Southern Cape coastline to exercise caution following this fatal incident.”

The Bitou Municipality shut all nearby beaches after the incident, Mr Labinon confirmed.

The man’s family is informed and receiving counselling, the NSRI said.