ATTACKED BY A SHARK

Shannon News, 29 November 1927, Page 1

ATTACKED BY A SHARK

HORSE AND RIDER,

SUCCESSFUL SWIM FOR SHORE.

What must he the most unusual attack ever made by a shark on ‘man or beast occurred this week at Eden, a town in the far south coast 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 sharks at*, tack failed.

The central figure in' this- unenviable episode was Mr. Norman Severs, a well known resident of the district. '' Returning to his home, Mr*' Severs had to cross the Kiah River at a recognised fording place. The tide was fairly high, but the bushmen ‘in the past had never thought of danger even when the river was so high. Mi*. Severs’ horse was almost swimming when a huge shark which came close to his horse’s head was seen approaching. The shark swerved, and shooting past, turned sharply and headed straight for the horse’s hind legs. Terrified, the horse endeavoured to escape the threatened danger, plunging desperately and kicking and bucking as well as its precarious foothold on the river bed permitted. During one pf his mad plunges the saddle girth broke, and Mr. Severs was thrown into the river. Calling loudly for help. Mr. Severs swam for the shore, about 100 yards distance, and fearing e-very moment that the shark’s jaws would <be ciosmg upon him, v h,e 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 Mr. Severs found solid ground beneath his feet, and was in safety. The shark had apparently been scared by the commotion' of the struggles of the horse and disappear ed without making any further’ attacks. Meanwhile two other men had heard Mr.' Severs’ call for help, and they reached the bank of the river just, as Mr. Severs, exhausted, scrambled ashore. The horse also swam to the shore, and was found to have escaped injury. How the shark missed it in its dive for the animal’s legs Mr. Severs could not understand for the monster appeared to pass directly between them. The scene 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. When the whaling season is in full swing a school of the monsters haunts the entrance of the Klah River, and it is believed that it was c-ne of these, venturing further up the river than usual, which made the attack on Mr. Severs and his horse. ‘