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Three tourists die in freak SAfrica boat accident


    CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Three tourists died when a freak wave capsized their boat in shark-infested waters off the coast of South Africa, authorities said on Monday.

    The victims -- two Americans and a Norwegian -- werevisiting South Africa's premier shark diving destination about180 km (110 miles) southeast of Cape Town when they wereknocked overboard, said National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)spokesman Craig Lambinon.

    All 10 tourists and nine crew members were flung into theocean when the wave struck in calm waters on Sunday.

    "Other shark-diving boats responded to the rescue andbrought (the) ... survivors on shore. We tried to resuscitatethe Norwegian, unsuccessfully," said Lambinon.

    A private boat later brought the bodies of the twoAmericans onshore. They were declared dead on arrival.

    Police captain Andre Traut identified the Americans asCassey Scott Lajeunesse, 35, from Maine, and ChristopherTallman, 35, from California. Kenneth Roque, 37, from Moss inNorway was the third victim.

    The three are presumed to have drowned, but South Africanpolice have opened an inquest confirm the causes of death.

    (Reporting by Wendell Roelf; Editing by Caroline Drees andJon Boyle)