The victim of a suspected fatal shark attack off South Australia’s west coast has been identified as 28-year-old Lance Appleby.
Heartfelt tributes have been paid to the surfer and talented footballer, with friends describing Mr Appleby as a “loved character” and a “bloody champion man”.
SA Police said Mr Appleby was surfing at Granites beach south-west of Streaky Bay on Thursday evening when witnesses reported seeing a shark attack him.
Emergency services will renew their search on Saturday morning after they suspended their efforts on Friday afternoon after searching the water for most of the day.Â
They also searched the area for a few hours on Thursday evening after initial reports of the attack just after 7pm.
Police and locals have described the incident as a “tragedy” and have expressed condolences to the victim’s family, friends and colleagues.
Emergency services resumed searching for the body of Mr Appleby on Friday morning. (ABC News)
Streaky Bay resident and commercial fisher Jeff Schmucker said Mr Appleby was “a well-known and a loved character”.
“Lance has lots of cousins, I’m personally close to these guys,” he said.
“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.”
Mr Schmucker said he had close ties to Mr Appleby’s family. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
Mr Schmucker said he had been concerned about shark activity in the area for a few days.
Mr Appleby was originally from South Australia’s west coast but played Australian rules football for the Tweed Coast Tigers, who are based in northern New South Wales and compete in Queensland.
Club president Andrew Ryan said Mr Appleby joined the team at the start of 2023 and was to be named vice-captain this 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.
Mr Ryan said that despite missing six games Mr Appleby still managed to be the equal winner 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 said.
“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.”
The District Council of Streaky Bay released a statement on Friday offering its “heartfelt condolences” to Mr Appleby’s family, friends and loved ones.
“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,” the statement read.
“We are hurting and we ask for understanding as we collectively grieve and support one another.”
Police said a surfboard had been recovered from the water, but that air, ground and water searches would continue today.
The site has been closed and police are asking people to avoid the area.