Orient Beach, South Africa: Janine Lochrenberg killed in shark attack during daily swim as tributes flow

A woman has been killed after she was attacked by a shark during her daily swim on Tuesday.

Janine Lochrenberg was attacked at Orient Beach in KuGompo City, South Africa at approximately 8am.

The 65-year-old South African was with her open water swimming club on their daily swim at the time of the terrifying incident, the BBC reported.

One of Lochrenberg’s fellow swimmers said she was bitten on her thigh and upper arm, despite wearing a magnetic shark repellent band on her ankle.

Swimmers brought her to shore but it is believed she bled out in the water.

Ms Lochrenberg’s sister Margot, who was in the water at the time, told the BBC that the 65-year-old “loved the water so much” and was aware of an “elevated shark presence” at the beach, which was formerly known as East London beach.

“She’d made peace with that,” she said.

“She had a deep affinity with the water and was a remarkable person.”

The East London Open Water Swimming Group paid tribute to their “dear friend” in a heartfelt Facebook post, writing that there were “simply no words” to describe the “enormous hole” left by Lochrenberg.

“She was never one to seek the spotlight, preferring to quietly go about doing what she loved most — swimming in the ocean,” the post read.

“But behind her gentle, unassuming nature was someone who contributed so much to our swimming community, always there, always willing, and very much a part of the heart of our group.

“The ocean was Janine’s happy place. It was where she found her joy, and where so many of us were fortunate enough to share special moments with her.“We will remember her beautiful smile, her gentle kindness, and the quiet but meaningful presence she brought to our swimming family.”

Lochrenberg was a retired medical physicist who is being remembered for her kindness by partner Barbara Briceland.

“She was highly intelligent, lots of fun, kind, in a quietish way, thoughtful, well-loved with a love of life,” she said.

Ms Briceland added that the pair were soon embarking on a road trip for three weeks together.

She said that Lochrenberg was a good and brave swimmer who often ventured out beyond the waves.

Also a musician, the swimmer’s music ensemble shared their devastation at the loss of one of their founding members.

“As a highly gifted musician, her contribution on the viola brought great value to our ensemble,” the post read.

“Though quiet and unassuming, she kept us on our toes and continually pushed us to reach the highest standards of music possible. Janine will be greatly missed.”

Orient Beach and nearby Eastern Beach have been closed since the incident, which marks the first fatal shark attack in South Africa this year.

The type of shark involved in the attack is not yet known, nor its size.

Municipality spokesperson Luzuko Buku told local outlet SABC that the “tragic incident” was devastating.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident that has happened here at our Orient Beach, where a swimmer, a recreational swimmer, was attacked clearly by a shark, and certainly they lost their lives,” he said.

Mr Buku said an investigation into the attack was underway and he cautioned beachgoers about entering the water.

He added that the last fatal shark attack in the area was in 1997.