The onset of winter in Australia doesn’t stop locals from making the most of the close ocean and its waves. However, predators like sharks are known to lurk in the murky depths of South Australia’s waterways. While the locals don’t let the presence of these predators deter them from enjoying a good day of surfing, a 46-year-old man allegedly disappeared after being attacked by one.

According to The Guardian, South Australian teacher Simon Baccanello was attacked by a shark on Saturday morning. At the time, he was surfing at Walkers Rock Beach on the Eyre Peninsula with a group of around a dozen other individuals.

Surfing adventure turned into a live nightmare

Simon Baccanello went to Walkers Rock Beach for another day of relaxing surfing sessions. According to The Guardian, however, his luck abruptly changed when a shark attacked him. The circumstances surrounding the incident, remain unclear. The surfers in the vicinity contacted paramedics immediately, but there was no trace of Baccanello on the beach when they arrived. While the police took reports of the missing surfer, a marine rescue boat was sent from Port Lincoln by the SA State Emergency Services (SES). Other surfers there at the time of the attack did everything they could to aid the police in their search for Baccanello.

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The 46-year-old was not located despite extensive searches throughout the weekend. Another attempt was made on Monday, with police and volunteers focusing on coastal regions close to the incident’s location. They reported finding a scrap of wetsuit fabric and a few bits of polystyrene, which they speculated may have come from a surfboard. The forensics team was given the discovered objects to examine. The police said they are still looking for the missing surfer, and that they are thoroughly assessing whatever information they come across.

Approximately 404 miles from Adelaide, Elliston is infamous for its history of shark attacks. The death of a 17-year-old surfer at Black Point, in 2000, at the hands of a shark is one of the most talked-about events that occurred in the area. Blair Boyer, the minister of education, stated that Baccanello was a respected educator and an active part of the local community. Boyer also confirmed that the department had set up support services for his colleagues and pupils. The surfer hasn’t been located yet, and it’s unclear under what circumstances the authorities could discover him.

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