Young lifeguard saves own father from shark attack

A 16-year-old Buffalo City Metro lifeguard was hailed a hero after he saved his father from a shark attack at Nahoon Reef on Thursday morning.

Hudson Park Primary teacher Roger Swinney, 58, told the Dispatch  his son Luke rescued him and brought him to safety after a great white shark rammed Swinney's ski, leaving a large, almost perfect set of bite marks on the ski.

Speaking from his Vincent Gardens home, the paddler and former surfer said:

“I had just spent two weeks of my holiday fixing the boat. I was paddling and I heard a loud noise and fell off. At first I thought it was just a rock but then I saw a shark circling about. I got back in the boat and fell out again.”

Swinney shouted “Shark! Shark!” to alert other paddlers. "I was sinking. Luke came along with his ski and told me to lie on my back and we paddled to the shore. I am so proud of him. This was his first job and he made his first rescue.”

The incident was over in a few minutes, he said. “This is the first time a shark has hit me. I am thankful to the Lord. I woke up and prayed this morning and I am happy God saved me. We need to trust God every day. We never know what will happen and we must live life as if it's the last day.”

Hundreds of online media users took to social media to comment.

Swinney said he would be going back into the water. “I will go back because that is my life. We can't live in fear. It is beautiful out in the sea; it is quiet and you get fit as well.”

BCM spokesperson Samnkelo Ngwenya said: “The city has closed Nahoon Beach until further notice. This follows a shark attack at about 7am this morning. A shark attacked a surf ski off Nahoon Reef this morning. The paddler is fine with no injuries.”

He said city officials would monitor the area on the BCM jet ski and other craft.

The beach will remain closed as a safety precaution.

National Sea Rescue Institute spokesperson Craig Lambinon said one person drowned in the Eastern Cape on Christmas Day. A surfer got into difficulties and was rescued from rocks at Seal Point, St Francis Point by other  surfers on Wednesday afternoon. CPR was administered, but he died.

Hundreds of bathers, many of them children, packed the popular the Eastern Beach and played in the rough sea on Christmas Day. But hawker Buyiswa Lupiwana said the numbers were down. She said there were empty parking spaces along the Esplanade on Christmas Day.

A meat braaier who identified herself only by her clan name, Madlomo, said the once-loved party spot Ebuhlanti was almost empty, with only 20 cars, on Christmas Eve.

“Christmas was better but still far fewer people than  we usually see. Maybe people are spending the big days at home with their families. Also the weather is unpredictable, which can be a challenge for families without their own vehicles.”