Lance Appleby, 28, a keen surfer and footballer from Streaky Bay in South Australia disappeared after witnesses saw him being attacked in the water while surfing at Granites Beach
A surfer who disappeared off the coast of South Australia is believed to have died in a shark attack, according to authorities.
28-year-old Lance Appleby was in the water catching the surf at the popular Granites Beach site, near the coastal town of Streaky Bay on Thursday evening. But as he was enjoying the waves, horror struck as witnesses report seeing him being attacked.
One witness rushed into the water on a jet ski to retrieve Lance’s surfboard, but there was no sign of the surfer, according to senior constable Rebecca Stokes. Initial reports of the attack came in just after 7pm local time on Thursday evening, with emergency services searching the area before returning on Friday.
After spending most of the day scouring the water, emergency crews suspended their search on Friday night, saying they will renew their efforts on Saturday morning. Police and locals have described the incident as a “tragedy” and expressed their sympathies to Lance’s family, friends and colleagues, reports the Australian Broadcasting Network.
Moving tributes have been paid to the surfer and footballer, with friends describing him as a “loved character” and a “bloody champion man”. Fellow Streaky Bay resident and commercial fisherman Jeff Schmucker said: “Lance has lots of cousins, I’m personally close to these guys.
“I grew up next to his mum and my youngest daughter went to school with Lance in the same class all throughout their childhood in Streaky Bay. Every shark attack is tragic but this has hit the community right in the heart.”
Lance was originally from South Australia’s west coast, but played Australian rules football for the Tweet Coast Tigers, a team based in northern New South Wales who compete in Queensland. According to club president Andrew Ryan, Lance joined the team at the beginning of 2023 and was set to be named vice-captain in the coming season.
“More importantly than his football skill was the fact that he was an all round good bloke – a bloody champion man,” he said. He added that despite missing six games, Lance still managed to be the equal qinner of the club’s best-and-fairest.
“Not only was he a massively important part of our back line with his playing attributes, his football brain and the knowledge he passed onto his teammates was second to none,” he added. “His teammates and the whole Tweed Coast Tigers community are completely devastated by his passing and pass on our condolences, love and prayers to his family.”
In a statement released on Friday, the District Council of Streaky Bay offered its “heartfelt condolences” to Lance’s family, friends and loved ones. It said: “In times like these, it is important to remember that the individual was not only a valued member of our community but also a cherished son, family member and friend. We are hurting and we ask for understanding as we collectively grieve and support one another.”
