Retired radiographer, 65, is killed by a shark off South Africa's Eastern Cape despite fellow swimmers' efforts to save her

A 65-year-old retired radiographer was fatally attacked by a shark at Orient Beach in KuGompo, formerly East London, on Tuesday morning. Members of her open-water swimming group pulled her from the water, but she had sustained two severe bites — one to her thigh and one to her upper arm. A medic in the group attempted resuscitation, and she died at the scene.

Orient Beach and nearby Eastern Beach have been closed until further notice.

Fellow swimmer Mike Loewe said: 'She liked to swim solo. She was courageous.'

Police have opened an inquest, and the shark species has not been identified.