Introduction:
A tragic incident occurred in South Australia over the weekend when a surfer was attacked by a shark and is now presumed dead. The search for the missing surfer has resulted in the discovery of a few items, including wetsuit material and small pieces of white polystyrene, which could be surfboard material. This incident has left the local community in mourning and has raised concerns about the high number of sharks off the coast.
Body:
The Attack:
Simon Baccanello, a 46-year-old teacher at Elliston Area School, was surfing with a group of about a dozen surfers on Saturday when he was attacked by a shark. He was at the back of the group, and no one else was injured in the attack. Despite extensive searches over the weekend, Baccanello remains missing, and he is presumed dead.
Search Efforts:
Crews have been searching for Baccanello since Saturday, but they have only found a surfboard with a large bite out of it. The search has also resulted in the discovery of a few other items, including wetsuit material and small pieces of white polystyrene that could be surfboard material. The search efforts have been challenging due to the high number of sharks off the coast.
Community Response:
The local community has been left in shock and mourning following the incident. Support is being offered to Baccanello’s students and colleagues at Elliston Area School, who will return to school today. Elliston is an isolated coastal town with a population of less than 400, and this incident has deeply affected the community.
Shark Population:
The Eyre Peninsula is well-known for its high number of sharks off the coast. However, this incident marks the first fatal shark attack off the coast of South Australia since 2014 when another teacher was taken in the waters off Yorke Peninsula. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of surfers and swimmers in the area.
Conclusion:
The tragic incident of a missing surfer presumed dead after a shark attack has left the local community in mourning. The search efforts have resulted in the discovery of a few items, including wetsuit material and small pieces of white polystyrene that could be surfboard material. This incident has raised concerns about the high number of sharks off the coast and the safety of surfers and swimmers in the area. It is essential to take necessary precautions and measures to ensure the safety of individuals who enjoy water activities.
Source: 9news.com.au
