By Louise Flanagan
A 24-year-old surf lifesaver lost his foot when he was bitten by a shark in False Bay on Sunday morning, said the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).
Achmat Hassiem was flown to hospital in a rescue helicopter. On Sunday afternoon he was undergoing surgery at the Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic in Cape Town.
"He's in theatre at the moment. He lost a foot. He's stable at the moment," said Constantiaberg nursing manager Frankie Redfern.
Hassiem's father, Moegsien Hassiem, said the family was awaiting the outcome of the surgery. He said Achmat and his brother, Taariq, 17, had been in the water together when the shark bit Achmat.
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He said Taariq, who is in Grade 12 at Bergvliet High, had helped to save his brother and was undergoing counselling.
"He's the one who saw everything and was in the water with him," said his father.
The incident took place about 11am off Sunrise Beach in Muizenberg.
Achmat Hassiem was with the surf lifesavers from Lifesaving SA's False Bay Lifesaving Club which was practising surf rescues at the time, said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.
He said Hassiem was treated on the scene by medics from the lifesaving club.
"Lifeguard medics had controlled the bleeding, elevated the patient's leg and had the patient in a stable condition."
Chairman of the lifesaving club, Graham Lewis, said the lifeguards were conducting a routine surf rescue exercise when the incident occurred. 3/8
Hassiem was immediately brought to shore aboard the lifeguard's rigid inflatable boat while treatment began for the injury and emergency services were called.
Lambinon said an NSRI craft in the area at the time also went to help.
"Although the injury is severe the patient is in a stable condition. He has been flown to a local hospital by the Metro Red Cross AMS helicopter," said Lambinon.
The rescue also involved Metro Ambulance and Rescue Services, False Bay EMS Metro volunteer paramedics, Emergency Medical Training Metro volunteer paramedics, Cape Medical Response paramedics, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, the police and Netcare 911 Ambulance Services.
Lambinon said the incident took place about 200m offshore in "glassy, clear seas with approximately half a metre swell and a slight on-shore breeze" at a depth of two to three metres. There was clear water visibility although there was murky water nearby due to a river mouth.
He urged bathers, surfers, paddlers and boaters to be careful along that stretch of coast. - Sapa
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