Tributes flow for beloved teacher feared dead after he was attacked by a shark while surfing
A beloved school teacher believed to be dead after he was mauled by a shark off a popular beach has been idenitfied.
Emergency services rushed to Elliston, on South Australia‘s west coast on Saturday morning following reports a surfer had been attacked by a shark at Walkers Rock.
An extensive search was launched for the man believed to have been killed in the attack. His body had not yet been found on Saturday night.
The man has since idenitified as local teacher Simon Baccanello, 46, who had began working at Elliston Area School in January.
‘He’s just been a good teacher for the kids,’ a shocked local told the Adelaide Advertiser.
‘In a small town like this everyone gets affected by it.’
A teenage boy, 13, was among those in the water who witnessed the horrifying incident.
‘It was such a confronting incident. There were 15 or 20 people out there today,’ Jaiden Millar said.
“It could have been anyone.”
The South Australian Ambulance Service told NCA NewsWire they had crews on the beach waiting on standby as SA Police conduct the search.
The beloved went missing near Elliston (pictured)
The SAAS said there are helicopters and boats searching the waters near Elliston on the Eyre Peninsula.
SAPOL confirmed the search was still underway, with members of the community and the SES involved.
Superintendent Paul Bahr, Officer in Charge of Eyre and Western Local Service Area thanked the local community for their help during the search.
‘It’s not easy when it’s a local involved but we commend their strength and their want to assist,’ Superintendent Bahr said.
‘We will continue to search with the assistance of local emergency services and other resources.’
It is believed the man’s injuries were life-threatening.
No other people have been injured.
Elliston is located about 650km from Adelaide, and is a spot loved by tourists for its pristine beaches.
