Shark

Every once in awhile New Zealand shows up in the international news without the aid of Hollywood.  Yesterday's tragic event at Muriwai Beach was such an occasion.  A well known and popular person in that community was killed by what is believed to be a 12-15 ft great white shark.

The last fatal shark attack in New Zealand was around 35 years ago.  The total number of document shark attacks since the 1850s is 48, with 9 of those being fatal (compared to 980/37 in the USA).  Statistically speaking, it is more likely that one would be killed by a drunk driver than a shark.

Despite this reasonable and mathematically logical assertion, I am currently far more likely to walk down the street than I am to swim in the ocean.  Everyone has a list of the ways they least want to depart this world.  Shark attack is in my top 5.  They scare me.