ATTACKED BY SHARK

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1927, Page 3

ATTACKED BY SHARK

HORSE AND RIDER. SYDNEY, Oct. 28. What must he the most unusual attack ever made by a shark on man or beast occurred this week at Eden, a town oil tho far south const of New South Wales. A shark attacked a horseman and his mount as they were crossing a river there at a fording place. Happily, the Shark’s attack failed. The central figure in this unenviable episode was Air Norman Severs, a well-known resident of the district. Returning to his homo, Mr Severs had to cross the Kiah river at a recognised fording plate. The tide was fairly high, but tlie husliincn ill the past had never thought of danger even when the river was so high. Air Severs’ liorso was almost swimming, when Aft- Severs saw approaching a huge shark which came close to his horse’s head. The shark swerved, and shooting past, turned sharply and headed straight for the' horse’s hind legs. FRANTIC STRUGGLE. Terrified, the horse endeavoured to escape the threatened danger, plunging desperately and kicking and bucking as well as its precarious foothold on tho riverbed permitted. During one of its mad plunges the saddle girth broke, and Air Severs was thrown into the river. Calling loudly for help. Air Severs swam for the shore, about 100 yards distant, and fearing every moment that the shark’s jaws would he closing upon him. he splashed frantically and drove through the water as rapidly as he could. The frightful journey was made in a couple of minutes, but every second of them seemed hours long. At length, lie found solid ground beneath his feet and was in safety. The shark had apparently been scared by the commotion of tho struggles of the horse and disappeared without making any further attacks. Aleanwhile two other men had heard Afr Severs’* calls for help, and they readied the hank of the river just- as Air Severs, exhausted. scrambled ashore. The horse also swam to the shore, and was found to have escaped injury. How the shade missed it in its dive for the animal s legs Air Severs could not understand, for the monster appeared to pass (U----rectlv between them.

The scone of the shark’s attack is not far from the boiling down station used by the Twofold Bay whalers. Lately several large sharks have been seen near these works in quest of refuse. AY,hen file whaling season is in full swing a school of the monsters haunts tho entrance to the Kiali River, and it is believed that it was one of these, venturing further up the river than usual, which made the attack on Air Severs and his horse.