We hebben zojuist gehoord dat er gisteren een kiter gebeten is door een haai langs de kust van Koumac (New Caldonia). De kiter kwam uit zwitserland en verbleef aan boord van de Discovery voor een 10 daagse kitesurf cruise op een catamaran.
De crew van de boot heeft de kiter zo snel mogelijk naar de haven van Koumac gebracht waar een ambulance stond te wachten maar te vergeefs; de kiter werd om 5pm overleden verklaart.
Pers bericht:
Ketchum, ID, September 6, 2016, On Tuesday afternoon September 6th, approximately 3.40pm local time, Offshore Odyssey’s guest from Australia, an experienced waterman was bitten by a shark of unknown size and type while kitesurfing close to shore.
The victim was staying aboard the sailing vessel Discovery, a catamaran, for a 10 day kitesurfing holiday. The company has been operating world wide since 2006. Discovery was located just off the coast of Koumac, New Caledonia at the time of the incident. The vessel’s crew immediately realized the guest was in distress, dispatched a rescue vessel and radioed local authorities. The victim was given medical assistance by the crew while being rushed towards the harbor. The rescue boat met the crew of Discovery in route and provided additional medical assistance and brought the victim back to the port of Koumac, where an ambulance was waiting, however he was declared deceased by a doctor at 5pm. The victim was currently living in Switzerland.
“Our friend’s death is a terrible loss.” says Gavin McClurg, Offshore Odyssey’s president. “He was a remarkable man who loved the ocean. My crew and I send our deepest condolences to his family. We will always remember him fondly and mourn his passing. We hope that the love of family and friends will comfort and strengthen them in the difficult days ahead. And we thank the New Caledonia medical emergency team for their immediate and professional response and the communities kindness in the wake of this tragic accident. I also commend our crew for acting so fast and professionally and doing everything they could.” McClurg says.
