A witness who saw a man die in a shark attack at Muriwai this afternoon said as soon as there was blood in the water, three or four other sharks joined the attack.
The man, who was out fishing, saw the victim swimming around the west coast beach and near
Maori Bay. He didn't have any special equipment with him.
The witness told 3 News he saw the distressed swimmer put his hand in the air. But as soon as he did that, a shark attacked him. The blood in the water attracted about three or four more sharks.
It is understood the swimmer was a local and his family have gathered at the scene. People have been seen embracing in the surf club car park and were being escorted into the club.
The attack happened at 1.45pm this afternoon and the body has been pulled from the water.
