On Friday afternoon, April 1st, the body of a man was found washed up, face down on La Lucia beach in Durban. By the time a beach walker came across the body it had already started decomposing. Upon arrival medics turned the body over for examination and found that parts of the upper right arm and chest area were missing, with clear signs of multiple shark bites. However, Durban officials suspect the man had been attacked by a shark after dying.
Cause of Death
Although the body had been attacked by a shark at some point, Durban officials suspect that the attack was not the cause of death. Netcare 911 spokesperson, Shawn Herbst, states that “Although authorities will determine the exact cause of death, it is believed the deceased had been predated on following the drowning”.
It is clear from the decomposition that the man was not newly deceased, however, until further examinations take place authorities cannot say when or how the death occurred. The body has since been handed over to the Durban North South African Police Service (SAPS).
“Officials will determine the exact cause of death with the body handed over to Durban SAPS for further investigation”, Herbst said.
A Second Body Washed Out to Sea
According to Herbst, a second body was also found in the shore break. Although life guards did not reach the scene on time to retrieve the second body before the strong surf carried it out to sea again.
Various groups, such as Netcare 911, Durban Metro Search and Rescue and Ethekwini Lifeguards have searched for the second body, but have yet to find it.