despite signs saying 'don't'
British expat who lost leg in shark attack 'ignored warning signs'A British swimmer lost both legs after he was attacked by a great white shark off a South African beach after ignoring warning signs.
By Aislinn Laing, in Cape Town
8:16PM BST 28 Sep 2011
Michael Cohen, 42, was about 50 yards from the shore when he was attacked at lunchtime today. Witnesses said one of his legs was bitten off and the other was badly mangled.
Mr Cohen, a part-time accountant who lives in Cape Town, was dragged from the sea by friends who were with him at the city’s Fish Hoek beach. Paramedics stabilised him before he was airlifted to hospital in Constantia, where he underwent surgery. His father was at his bedside.
It was understood that shark warning flags were flying on the beach. However, a siren that was normally sounded to warn of predators did not go off because there was a power cut at the time.
Witnesses said three large great whites had been seen in the area 90 minutes before the attack and on previous days.
Shark spotters employed by the local council said Mr Cohen often swam at the beach and had been warned in the past about the presence of sharks.
