Surfer Lance Appleby’s final moments before fatal shark attack revealed

Locals have shed some light on the final moments of a surfer who is believed to be dead following a shark attack off the coast of South Australia as the search for his body is set to continue.

Emergency services were called to The Granites beach near Westall Way on the Eyre Peninsula about 7.10pm on Thursday following reports a surfer, now identified as Lance Appleby, was attacked by a shark.

A search was launched for the 28-year-old Port Lincoln man on Thursday evening, however his body is yet to be found.

Local Jeff Schumucker, a family friend of Mr Appleby’s, described Mr Appleby’s final moments before the fatal attack.

“He caught a wave and flipped off the wave and proceeded to paddle back, and he was attacked,” Mr Schumucker told 7NEWS.

A South Australia Police spokesperson on Friday confirmed a surf board had been found by someone on a jet ski shortly after the attack.

Mr Schumucker said the board had a bite mark.

“He confirmed that the board had a bite mark in the bottom and the rope was severed in half,” he said.

“It just hits everyone so hard, particularly the locals.”

Mr Appleby had been visiting family for Christmas when he was attacked, Mr Schumucker earlier told 9 NEWS.

“SO TRAGIC”: TRIBUTES FLOW FOR “YOUNG TALENT”

An Eyre Peninsula local also described Mr Appleby as a “talented football and basketball player” while speaking on ABC Radio Adelaide, with the 28-year-old having played for Marble Range Football Club.

Rival team Wayback Football & Sporting Club shared a tribute for Mr Appleby to Facebook on Friday.

“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,” the tribute read.

“Our thoughts are with Lance’s family, friends, and the Marble Range FC and the wider Eyre Peninsula Community.

“RIP Lance Appleby.”

He studied at Streaky Bay Area School, and his Facebook profile lists his profession as an apprentice carpenter.

Allconstruct Interiors Pty Ltd, where Mr Appleby is believed to have worked, has also shared a tribute for the 28-year-old.

“RIP to great young talent Lance Appleby was a big part of Allconstruct team last year and quickly became friends,” the post on Facebook read.

“Devastating to hear the news today.”

Assistant Police Commissioner John De Candia on Friday confirmed a report would be prepared for the coroner as police and emergency services continued to search for Mr Appleby’s body.

“It’s a very sad and tragic circumstance for the family,” Mr Candia said at a press conference.

“Any such incident such tragedy affects a wide variety of people … the immediate family, friends, work mates, colleagues, it affects the police (and) other emergency services that had to attend as well.

“Any death is, in these circumstances, is absolutely tragic and does have a wide impact on lots of people.”

The search is set to continue at 9am ACST on Saturday.

The Granites beach was closed to the public on Thursday and remained closed as of Saturday, with members of the public urged to avoid the area.

Reports of shark sightings in the area on Thursday have circulated, and Mr Candia suggested listening to locals regarding shark sightings could be wise.

“It’s our understanding that some locals and other people there may have reported some shark sighting in the area, and sometimes it’s best to listen to the locals,” he said.

“But at the end of the day people need to make up their own minds in relation to enjoying the ocean.”

The search follows the death of a 55-year-old male surfer in October last year following a shark attack near the same area.

The stretch of coastline is understood to be a hotspot for sharks, according to the Adelaide Advertiser, with UniSA shark researcher Brianna Le Busque telling the masthead in 2023 great whites frequent the area as the “water goes (from) really deep to really shallow quickly”.