ATTACKED BY A SHARK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19557, 9 February 1927, Page 12

ATTACKED BY A SHARK.

BATHER'S THIGH BITTEN.

HANDS ALSO INJURED.

ABLE TO REACH THE SHORE.

MONSTER IN SHALLOW WATER

[by telegraph.—own correspondent. ] CHEIS-TCHUKCH. Tuesday.

A man whose name has not been ascertained and who is employed on contract work by Mr. Henry Conrad, of Menzies Bay, Banks Peninsula, was attacked by a shark to-day while bathing in 3ft. of water.

The shark, which was about 10ft. long, bit him on the thigh, but fortunately failed to secure a proper hold. However, the man's thigh was badly lacerated. He endeavoured to push the shark off with his hands, both of which were injured in the monster's jaws.

The unfortunate bather succeeded in driving the shark off and made his way out of the water. He was later removed to Mr. Conrad's homestead and given attention. It is not certain yet whether he will have to be removed to the hospital for treatment.

Menzies Bay is very open to the sea, with deep water, and it is known that sharks have been round the peninsula and in Lyttelton Harbour in great numbers this season. This is the first occasion on which a bather has been attacked. One theory for the prevalence of sharks in the coastal waters is that the sheep boats always have a fair percentage of dead sheep and the carcases are dumped overboard, thus attracting large numbers of the monsters.