Woman eaten whole by 13ft shark during ocean swim without anyone noticing
For anyone still troubled by the memory of Jaws, this real-life shark encounter is truly terrifying.
In a sad and frightening event off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, an experienced swimmer is thought to have been killed and eaten by a 13-foot shark while swimming, all without anyone noticing right away.
Not feeling well
The event took place on April 3, 2014, when 63-year-old Christine Armstrong went out with her usual swim group from Tathra Wharf to Tathra Beach, a familiar 600-meter path.
Christine, a long-time member of the Tathra Surf Club, was recognized for her strength and commitment in the water. However, that day, she reportedly told the group she wasn’t feeling well and chose to swim back alone after going about 200 meters, according to The Mirror.
A short time later, other swimmers saw a fin in the water. Birds started circling and diving above the surface, a typical sign that a predator might be close. The group quickly decided to return to shore, thinking Christine had safely made it back. But she hadn’t.
“The shark was such a size”
The next day, Christine’s goggles, swim cap, and some remains were found on the beach. Sadly, her body was never found, and officials think she was quickly taken and eaten by a big shark, probably a great white, although they never confirmed the exact type.
Her husband, Rob Armstrong, who was swimming close by at that time, told reporters, “The shark was so big that it basically ate her whole; she wouldn’t have even realized it happened.”
The Tathra Surf Club, where Christine and Rob had been members for 14 years, honored her in the days after the tragedy. They said, “She was a skilled and dedicated member. Swimming brought her a lot of happiness and many friends.”
Even though this happened over ten years ago, Christine’s story still touches people online. A YouTube video about the incident has come back to life, sparking public interest and sadness, with people commenting their feelings of sympathy and shock.
Shark attacks in Australia are still uncommon but can be very traumatic, especially when they lead to someone losing their life. Christine’s story is a sad reminder of how unpredictable the ocean can be and how strong the human spirit is when facing it every day.