Missing surfer feared killed in shark assault after board discovered with chunk chewed off
Lance Appleby was last seen surfing off the South Australian coast when onlookers saw a shark approach him – searchers have found his mangled board but the hunt for him continues
The wretched final moments of a missing surfer believed to have died in a shark attack, have been pieced together.
A frantic search for Australian Lance Appleby was launched after he disappeared on Thursday night, with people claiming they saw him being attacked in the water at The Granite beach in South Australia. Police later confirmed they found the 28-year-old’s destroyed surfboard.
As the hunt continues, Appleby’s last known whereabouts have been revealed. He was spotted playing around in the ocean at The Granites, popular beach near Streaky Bay before disappearing that same day, The Sun reports.
At around 7.10pm shocked witnesses say they saw something approach him in the water. Family friend Jeff Schumacher watched on as the nightmare unfolded and recalled the harrowing incident.
He told 7News: “He caught a wave and flipped off the wave and proceeded to paddle back, and he was attacked.”
A desperate search followed with several witnesses jumping on to jet skis to fend of any potential predators. The search party then found a surfboard with a chunk missing shortly after the attack, South Australia Police confirmed.
Schumacher said he saw the ruined board along with a set of damaged ropes as it was brought in.
He said: “The board had a bite mark in the bottom and the rope was severed in half. It just hits everyone so hard, particularly the locals.”
Appleby had returned to the Eyre Peninsula, where The Granites beach is located, for a family Christmas.
The Granites beach was closed on Thursday after the shark sightings were reported. The region is a great white hotspot, thanks to its ideal water conditions.
Tributes have poured in for Appleby, who was described as a “talented football and basketball player”, once playing for Marble Range FC as one of their stars.
Rival team Wayback paid tribute to the young man and “highly respected opponent”.
The message read: “So tragic. Not a Waybacker but a highly respected opponent and player with the Marble Range FC and close friend of a number of our players and supporters.
“Our thoughts are with Lance’s family, friends, and the Marble Range FC and the wider Eyre Peninsula Community.
“RIP Lance Appleby.”
