Briton mauled by shark in South Africa

A Briton was left fighting for his life after being mauled by a shark while swimming in South Africa yesterday.

The 42-year-old man was attacked by a great white at Fish Hoek beach in Cape Town.

Reports said the man, who is believed to live in the city, was rescued by a bystander after he ignored shark warnings to go swimming.

National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesman Craig Lambinon told the South African Press Association (Sapa): "On arrival, a 42-year-old man was found on the shore suffering complete amputation of his right leg, above the knee, and partial amputation of his left leg, below the knee."

Mr Lambinon said the victim was stabilised at the scene and then airlifted to hospital in a critical condition.

He added: "The man was conscious when paramedics attended to him on the beach, but was sedated on-scene by paramedics in their efforts to stabilise the patient."

It was reported that when the man entered the water, the beach was still closed. A shark flag, indicating the presence of a great white, was flying, and the victim of the attack was the only person in the water at the time.