A 28-year-old man, Lance Appleby, whose life was deeply connected to the ocean, fell victim to a shark attack at the legendary surf spot “Granites” on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. The young man was catching waves during a Christmas visit to his family, according DailyMail.
His body remains missing at the same beach where, a year earlier, another surfer was fatally attacked by a great white shark. On Sunday, authorities concluded a large-scale search for Mr. Appleby’s remains.
“Police, with support from SES, CFS, local authorities, including the mayor, and residents, searched the area for four days. Unfortunately, the body was not found,” the police said in a statement.
The news has been a devastating blow to Mr. Appleby’s family, who reside on the Eyre Peninsula, a region known for high shark activity.
Just hours before the attack on Mr. Appleby, a fisherman warned locals on social media about an “aggressive great white shark” spotted at Granites Beach. It is unclear whether Appleby was aware of the warning.
On Saturday, Mr. Appleby’s brother shared his thoughts, expressing that the family found solace in the idea that “he passed doing what he loved” and that he will now remain “forever young, forever surfing, forever loved.”
“The pain we’re experiencing as a family is indescribable. We are absolutely devastated, and there’s a void left in our hearts,” wrote Kenneth Appleby, the victim’s brother.
Locals have since called for a hunt for the great white shark. Mr. Appleby’s death marks another tragedy following the loss of Todd Gendl, who was killed by a four-meter-long great white shark while surfing at the same beach in October 2023.