Streaky Bay: Lance Appleby named as 28yo surfer taken by shark in South Australia

The surfer who was reportedly attacked by a shark and taken in South Australia has been identified as 28-year-old Lance Appleby.

Searchers have so far found no sign of the surfer who was attacked with police and emergency service crews searching waters at Westall for the body of Mr Appleby, believed to be the victim of a fatal shark attack.

Just after 7pm on Thursday, a 28 year-old man from Port Lincoln was surfing near Granites Beach, south of Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula, when witnesses reported seeing a shark attack him.

Eyre and Western police immediately responded and initiated a search with the assistance of State Emergency Service and local volunteers.

The man’s body is yet to be found and an air, land and water search will be conducted early this morning with resources from police, SES and local volunteers assisting.

Local Jeff Schumucker told 9News that the victim was a beloved member of the community and had been visiting his family for Christmas.

“There were people in the carpark that saw him catch the wave, he rode it right to the end and flicked out, then proceeded to paddle back and he was taken not long after he flicked off the wave,” Schumucker said.

Locals had been posting on social media in recent weeks that there had been great white shark sightings and the numbers in the water had grown alarmingly.

Following the attack the administrator of a shark spotting Facebook page sent their condolences.

“Dear community, there has been a devastating fatality at Granites, Streaky Bay. Our thoughts are with the family, friends and fellow surfers. It is a traumatising and sad time, please get around each other,” said Jonas Woodford on the West Coast S.A SHARK ALERT page.

The beach remains closed to the public and police ask any witnesses to provide their details to local police or call 131444.

Police are preparing a report for the coroner.