East London swimmer killed in shark attack as popular beaches close
The 65-year-old retired nuclear radiographer was an avid open-water swimmer.
In a tragic incident, 65-year-old retired nuclear radiographer Janine Lochrenberg lost her life in a shark attack at Orient Beach in East London’s KuGompo City on Tuesday morning. Lochrenberg, a beloved member of the local open-water swimming community and a musician, was swimming at around 8am when the attack occurred. Despite the swift actions of her son and fellow swimmers, who performed CPR on the beach, she succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Following this heartbreaking event, the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality promptly closed Orient Beach and the adjacent Eastern Beach to allow for a comprehensive safety assessment. The public was urged to stay away from the water as authorities secured the coastline and deployed emergency services and law enforcement. An inquest has been opened to investigate the circumstances of Lochrenberg's death.
Although shark attacks are rare in South Africa’s expansive coastline and diverse shark population, the incident has prompted an urgent response from the community and authorities. The East London Open Water Swimming community recalls Lochrenberg as a cherished member, who quietly enjoyed her passion for swimming and generously supported other swimmers.
She was remembered fondly for her gentle kindness and the positive presence she brought to the swimming community. Her family, partner Barbara, and the wider ocean community are comforted by the outpouring of condolences. The beaches remain closed until further notice as safety measures are evaluated.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
