Shark attack
#1
Shark attack
Just seen post on adelaidebrits that a diver was taken of the Glenelg/westbeach coast this afternoon :scared:
any one heard anything!!
Di
any one heard anything!!
Di
#3
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,360
Re: Shark attack
A diver is presumed dead after a shark attack witnessed by two friends off Adelaide's most popular beach.
The diver was in the water about 2km off Glenelg Beach, in the city's west, when a shark took him at about 4.10pm (CST) on Wednesday, police said.
He and another man were scuba diving when their two friends aboard a boat saw the shark, but they were powerless to stop the attack.
A search was underway on Wednesday night for the shark and the missing man, but he was presumed dead.
"Two people in the boat did witness the attack," Acting Superintendent Jim Jeffery said.
"We are making every attempt we can to locate the person.
"The indications to us though are that it will be very doubtful that we will find the person alive."
Media reports said the man's oxygen cylinder has been found.
Glenelg Beach is just one kilometre from West Beach, where another fatal shark attack occurred last December.
In that incident, 18-year-old Nick Peterson was killed while surfboarding with friends behind a boat.
The waters off South Australia are a favourite hunting ground of the feared great white shark, which has been blamed for several fatal attacks in recent years, including that on Mr Peterson.
Police said the two people on board the boat, who saw the large shark approach, raised the alarm and pulled one of the divers out of the water.
But the shark took the other diver while he was still underwater.
"... it was the one that was still underwater, he was taken," Supt Jeffery said.
"One of the divers had been pulled back on to the boat as the other one was taken."
Police have recovered some of the missing diver's equipment, including the oxygen tank and a buoyancy vest.
Supt Jeffery said police were unsure what type of shark was involved in the attack, saying the traumatised witnesses had only described it as "large".
Local shark expert Andrew Fox said it was likely the shark was a great white - the same type of shark blamed for the fatal attack on Mr Peterson just over eight months ago.
"As far as determining the species of shark it's very likely that, other than a bronze whaler shark, the great white shark is really the only large predatory shark that's capable of actually taking a diver," he told ABC radio.
Mr Fox said he doubted the shark involved in Wednesday's attack was the same one that took Mr Peterson.
"There's always speculation after any shark attack around the world of a rogue shark, or a shark gone bad, a shark that likes the taste of humans," he said.
"But there's actually, in the International Shark Record, there's never been any evidence that this has ever occurred."
A search involving water police and the SA Sea Rescue Squadron was called off on Wednesday night and will resume on Thursday.
Police have ordered other recreational boat users out of the water in the vicinity of the attack - a coastal area about 10km from Adelaide's central business district.
The diver was in the water about 2km off Glenelg Beach, in the city's west, when a shark took him at about 4.10pm (CST) on Wednesday, police said.
He and another man were scuba diving when their two friends aboard a boat saw the shark, but they were powerless to stop the attack.
A search was underway on Wednesday night for the shark and the missing man, but he was presumed dead.
"Two people in the boat did witness the attack," Acting Superintendent Jim Jeffery said.
"We are making every attempt we can to locate the person.
"The indications to us though are that it will be very doubtful that we will find the person alive."
Media reports said the man's oxygen cylinder has been found.
Glenelg Beach is just one kilometre from West Beach, where another fatal shark attack occurred last December.
In that incident, 18-year-old Nick Peterson was killed while surfboarding with friends behind a boat.
The waters off South Australia are a favourite hunting ground of the feared great white shark, which has been blamed for several fatal attacks in recent years, including that on Mr Peterson.
Police said the two people on board the boat, who saw the large shark approach, raised the alarm and pulled one of the divers out of the water.
But the shark took the other diver while he was still underwater.
"... it was the one that was still underwater, he was taken," Supt Jeffery said.
"One of the divers had been pulled back on to the boat as the other one was taken."
Police have recovered some of the missing diver's equipment, including the oxygen tank and a buoyancy vest.
Supt Jeffery said police were unsure what type of shark was involved in the attack, saying the traumatised witnesses had only described it as "large".
Local shark expert Andrew Fox said it was likely the shark was a great white - the same type of shark blamed for the fatal attack on Mr Peterson just over eight months ago.
"As far as determining the species of shark it's very likely that, other than a bronze whaler shark, the great white shark is really the only large predatory shark that's capable of actually taking a diver," he told ABC radio.
Mr Fox said he doubted the shark involved in Wednesday's attack was the same one that took Mr Peterson.
"There's always speculation after any shark attack around the world of a rogue shark, or a shark gone bad, a shark that likes the taste of humans," he said.
"But there's actually, in the International Shark Record, there's never been any evidence that this has ever occurred."
A search involving water police and the SA Sea Rescue Squadron was called off on Wednesday night and will resume on Thursday.
Police have ordered other recreational boat users out of the water in the vicinity of the attack - a coastal area about 10km from Adelaide's central business district.
#4
Re: Shark attack
Originally Posted by harveyhare
Just seen post on adelaidebrits that a diver was taken of the Glenelg/westbeach coast this afternoon :scared:
any one heard anything!!
Di
any one heard anything!!
Di
Search under way after shark attacks diver
A major search is under way in the waters off an Adelaide beach this evening for a man who has been taken by a shark.
The man was diving with three others when he was attacked two kilometres off Glenelg Beach, just after 4:00pm ACST.
Acting Superintendent Jim Jeffery says water police and a helicopter will continue to look for the missing man for as long as possible tonight.
"The tacks and some of the other equipment has been recovered," he said.
"We're in the process now of searching for the missing diver and for any other clothing or any other equipment that may still be out in the water."
Local shark expert Andrew Fox says it is likely the shark involved in the attack is a great white.
"As far as determining the species of shark it's very likely that, other than a bronze whaler shark, the great white shark is really the only large predatory shark that's capable of actually taking a diver," he said.
It is the second fatal shark attack in the area in eight months.
In December 2004, 18-year-old Nick Petersen was killed when he was taken while riding a surfboard behind a boat off nearby West Beach.
But Mr Fox says he doubts it is the same shark.
"There's always speculation after any shark attack around the world of a rogue shark, or a shark gone bad, a shark that likes the taste of humans but there's actually in the International Shark Record there's never been any evidence that this has ever occurred," he said.
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Shark attack
Originally Posted by harveyhare
Just seen post on adelaidebrits that a diver was taken of the Glenelg/westbeach coast this afternoon :scared:
any one heard anything!!
Di
any one heard anything!!
Di
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Adelaide - South Australia
Posts: 1,820
Re: Shark attack
Originally Posted by Amazulu
From http://www.abc.net.au. He's only got himself to blame.
#7
Re: Shark attack
Originally Posted by marco121068
Why do you say he's only got himself to blame?
#8
Re: Shark attack
I took the kids the the Melbourne museum a while back and they posted some stats about sharks.
It was something like 50 people have been killed by sharks in the last 158 years, but each year 24,000 Americans are killed on their roads.
So, statistically speaking, it is safer to swim 2km out in the sea than it is to drive in the US.
I know where I'm going to be from now on.
Lets hope that the sharks don't learn to drive.... :scared:
It was something like 50 people have been killed by sharks in the last 158 years, but each year 24,000 Americans are killed on their roads.
So, statistically speaking, it is safer to swim 2km out in the sea than it is to drive in the US.
I know where I'm going to be from now on.
Lets hope that the sharks don't learn to drive.... :scared:
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Adelaide - South Australia
Posts: 1,820
Re: Shark attack
Originally Posted by Amazulu
The sea belongs to the creatures that live in it. We can use it, that's fine, but we do it to their rules & if they decide to eat us then that's part of the rules.
Off to the gym now. Look too much like a seal in my wetsuit
#10
Re: Shark attack
Originally Posted by marco121068
Totally agree. I was just wondering if you thought perhaps he'd provoked the attack in some way.
Off to the gym now. Look too much like a seal in my wetsuit
Off to the gym now. Look too much like a seal in my wetsuit
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Adelaide S.Australia
Posts: 114
Re: Shark attack
Originally Posted by Amazulu
That would be insane!. Shark attacks are very rare though. In South Africa you can do cage diving with sharks, which to me is just plain wrong. Why tease these magnificent animals?. Conservationists are warning that it is encouraging sharks to come inshore & it won't be long before they start taking surfers & swimmers.
The sea is the sharks world and we just share it , be aware be careful you guys
Sheila
#12
Re: Shark attack
Originally Posted by Amazulu
That would be insane!. Shark attacks are very rare though. In South Africa you can do cage diving with sharks, which to me is just plain wrong. Why tease these magnificent animals?. Conservationists are warning that it is encouraging sharks to come inshore & it won't be long before they start taking surfers & swimmers.
#13
Re: Shark attack
I read a very interesting article that said that due to the number of companies taking people out cage diving to see Great White sharks, there probably will be a higher number of attacks. The companies chuck fish guts, etc. into the water to attract the sharks - so the sharks are learning to associate boats and divers with food.
Scary stuff - and Im a diver myself!
W. :scared:
Scary stuff - and Im a diver myself!
W. :scared:
#14
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 29
Re: Shark attack
Perhaps he was a young man with a wonderful sense of adventure, yet with maturity and sensitivity towards his work. Perhaps he had a great sense of respect for the sea and the creatures that live there which is probably why he was involved in research. Don't we all just love reading about wildlife, the sea and admire the new and wonderful things that are discovered on a daily basis? This is a man who was living his dream and working hard to make it possible. How tragic that he should be 'taken' in such a way. He is someone's son, someone's lover, someone,s joy. Please, please just a little sympathy and respect for the man wouldn't go amiss.
We don't say that the hundreds of people killed in a plane crash were to blame - they chose to get on the airplane, after all the sky belongs to the birds. We don't say the poor child who got bitten by a snake in his back garden was to blame. Yes these things happen and the creatures should not be to blame as it is their habitat we are invading - but a tragedy or accident affects so many no matter where the blame lies.
My son is about to embark on going to university to study and live his dream. I hope for his happiness, safety and along, long future ahead of him.
We don't say that the hundreds of people killed in a plane crash were to blame - they chose to get on the airplane, after all the sky belongs to the birds. We don't say the poor child who got bitten by a snake in his back garden was to blame. Yes these things happen and the creatures should not be to blame as it is their habitat we are invading - but a tragedy or accident affects so many no matter where the blame lies.
My son is about to embark on going to university to study and live his dream. I hope for his happiness, safety and along, long future ahead of him.
#15
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,360
Re: Shark attack
I dont think anyone is saying they dont feel sypmathy, just that it's a risk you take when you get into the water.