The search for a missing surfer on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula has resumed, with several “items of interest” found by police.
Key points:
- Simon Baccanello was surfing near Elliston on Saturday when he was attacked by a shark
- Charter boat operator, Jonas Woolford, says he unloaded tourists to help with the search at Walkers Rock
- SA Police said emergency services continued the operation at first light this morning
Simon Baccanello, 46, was surfing at Walkers Rock beach on Saturday morning, when he was attacked by the shark an estimated 30-to-50 metres offshore.
No-one else was injured.
SA Police Superintendent Paul Bahr told ABC Eyre Peninsula that emergency service crews continued the search for Mr Baccanello at first light this morning.
“We’ll be doing the beaches around Walkers Rock … and we’ll be checking for any signs that might point to what occurred,” Mr Bahr said.
“We continued the search along the shore along Walkers Rock yesterday.
“We did find a few items of interest that we’ve now collected.”
“We are in the process of putting together a report which will go to the coroner.”
Mr Bahr said crews were searching the high-tide marks — with the help of volunteers — for any signs of debris that might point to what happened.
“We’ve got SES, CFS, we’ve got the local police again and without the help of those volunteers I think we’d be struggling to have a reasonable search,” he said.
Streaky Bay charter boat operator Jonas Woolford said he was in Elliston at the time of the attack and unloaded tourists to help with the search.
He said it was common to see sharks in the area.
“Our coastline is definitely known for great white sharks … we’re very much aware that it’s great white shark territory,” Mr Woolford said.
“There were boats of locals on the scene very quickly afterwards, I think it was in a matter of 10 minutes.
“As far as I’m aware, there was nothing other than his surfboard, there was just no sign, nothing could be found.”
Mr Woolford said it was the first fatality at the beach in 20 years and the community was aware that another shark attack “could happen again”.
“[I] really feel for his family and his friends down there,” he said.
“I didn’t know him personally, but his mates are my mates. It’s just terrible news.
“It’s been over 20 years since the last fatality on that particular coastline, fortunately, but it’s something that we live with daily. It’s always on the back of our minds.”
Flinders MP Sam Telfer said the tragedy had shocked the local community and the school, which only had a “handful” of teachers.
Mr Telfer thanked community volunteers for helping in the search.
“It’s really something which is going to rock this small community, but especially the school community that has to deal with that,” he said.
“When we get professionals, teachers come in they become a part of the community, they become a part of the football club.
“His mates are our mates and we all work together.”
