Woman killed by great white shark after going for morning swim

A Cape Town woman has been killed by a great white shark in Plettenberg Bay.

The 39-year-old holidaymaker was believed to be taking a dip in the ocean when she was suddenly attacked by a killer shark.

Central Beach swimmers nearby reportedly heard the woman's scream for help while the National Sea Rescue Institute were quickly informed of the incident.

A rescue craft was launched in attempt to save the woman, however, as officials arrived to the scene, her body was reportedly found 50 feet from shore.

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An eye witness told rescuers: "It was a bit cloudy but there was some sun out and there were quite a few people taking an early dip as the temperature was quite warm.

"Then I just heard lots of screaming and saw people running out the water.

"I guessed it was a shark attack but I was quite a way away and then the lifeboat turned up.

"I then heard a woman had been attacked while swimming only two or three waves out so it was quite shallow but it was said nothing could be done to help her".

Bitou Municipality Mayor David Swart said: “We have never had a fatality at Plettenberg until 2011 and now we have had three with two in the last three months.

“We are researching into and looking at putting up a shark barrier and increased warning signage and starting our lifeguard’s season a month earlier than usual.

“There seems to be no change in the shark’s behaviour in this area so it is a bit of a mystery why we have had three fatal attacks in such a short space of time.

“Our thoughts go out to the woman and her family at this time.”

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A South African shark expert, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Mirror: “You have to remember the ocean has always been the territory of the shark – they rule.

“There are more and more people in the water these days what with surfing and paddle boarding and swimming and the sharks are always never very far away.

“But they are not seeking out humans and attacks are rare and usually not intended as they mistake humans for prey but the results are often fatal.

“You have 47 time more chance of being killed by lightning or 11 times more chance of being killed by fireworks than being killed by a shark.

"Wrong place wrong time."