The 74-year old Burgert can der Westhuizen suffered several bites by a white shark when he was attacked at Lower Point, Abatross Bay in the eastern Cape which is a popular surfing area. A kajaker close by tried to rescue Burgert but the shark did not let go when he came back for a second time. The white shark was estimated to be around 12ft. This was the first time a white shark ever attacked at Jeffreys Bay which is considered one of the top 5 surf spots in the world. Burgert was an experienced open water swimmer.