Shark Attack Kills South African Swimmer Off East London

A 65-year-old South African swimmer died after a shark attacked her during a morning swim off the country's eastern coast on Tuesday. Janine Lochrenberg was swimming with her local open-water swimming club near Orient Beach in KuGompo City, formerly East London, when the attack occurred at around 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT). Fellow swimmers brought Lochrenberg toward shore after the attack, but witnesses said she died before they could get her out of the water.

One swimmer told the BBC that she sustained bites to her thigh and upper arm. Authorities confirmed that Orient Beach and another nearby beach had been closed following the incident. The death marks South Africa's first recorded fatal shark attack of the year.

According to the Florida Museum's International Shark Attack File, South Africa has recorded about 10 fatal shark attacks since 2012. The incident occurred despite Lochrenberg wearing a magnetic shark repellent band on her ankle, according to a fellow swimmer who spoke to the BBC.

Lochrenberg's sister, Margot, described the circumstances of her sister's final moments, saying she held her head as others brought her toward shore. She believed Lochrenberg had lost a fatal amount of blood while still in the water. Margot said her sister had continued swimming despite being aware of the shark activity in the area.

"She'd made peace with that. She had a deep affinity with the water and was a remarkable person," Margot told the BBC. She also said Lochrenberg had maintained a strong connection to swimming despite the risks associated with the local coastline. The family is mourning her death following the attack.

Barbara Briceland, Lochrenberg's partner, described the retired medical physicist as an experienced swimmer who regularly ventured far into the breaking waves. Briceland also characterized her as courageous and recalled her personality and relationships. "She was highly intelligent, lots of fun, kind, in a quietish way, thoughtful, well-loved with a love of life."

Briceland told the BBC that the couple had been preparing to begin retirement together and were about to leave on a three-week road trip. The planned journey was among their upcoming activities before Lochrenberg was killed.