Tengrinews.kz - A 28-year-old surfer, Lance Appleby, lost his life in a tragic shark attack at the iconic surf spot "The Granites" on Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, according to the Daily Mail.
Appleby, who had a lifelong connection with the ocean, was visiting his family for Christmas when he went surfing. His body remains missing at the same beach where another surfer was fatally attacked by a great white shark a year earlier. Authorities ended a large-scale search operation for Appleby’s body on Sunday.
"Police with the assistance of SES, CFS, Council members including the mayor, and locals have searched the area over the past four days but sadly have not yet located his body," the police said in a statement.
This tragedy has deeply affected Appleby’s family, who reside on the Eyre Peninsula, a region known for high shark activity.
Just hours before the attack, a local fisherman had warned residents on social media about an "aggressive great white" spotted at Granite Beach. It is unclear whether Appleby was aware of the warning.
On Saturday, Appleby’s brother shared a heartfelt message, stating that the family takes comfort in knowing he left "doing what he loved" and will remain "forever young, forever surfing, forever loved."
"The pain we are feeling as a family is impossible to describe. We are absolutely devastated, and there is a gaping hole in our hearts," wrote Kenneth Appleby, the victim's brother.
Following the incident, locals have called for a hunt for the great white shark. Appleby’s death marks another tragedy after Tod Gendle was killed by a four-meter-long great white shark while surfing at the same beach in October 2023.
Earlier, a German tourist fell victim to a shark attack at a popular beach in Thailand.
