Search for Australian shark attack victim suspended

5/1/2025 17:05

Authorities in South Australia (SA) have ended the search for the body of a surfer who was killed in a shark attack.



Lance Appleby, 28, was surfing at Granites beach, about 480 km northwest of the state capital of Adelaide, on Thursday evening when witnesses reported seeing a shark attack him, triggering a major search and rescue operation by sea, land and air.



SA Police on Sunday said that the search has concluded after four days.



Locals reported seeing a great white shark in the area earlier on Thursday.



According to Seven Network television, witnesses saw Appleby being flipped off his surfboard by a wave before being dragged underwater by the shark.



Following the attack, police said a witness on a jet ski went to the site and retrieved Appleby's surfboard, which had a bite taken out of it.



There were three fatal shark attacks off the coast of SA in 2023, including one at Granites beach, but zero in 2024.