The final moments of a missing surfer believed to have died in a horror shark attack have been revealed.
A desperate search was launched for the body of Lance Appleby, 28, after he went missing on Thursday night, with onlookers saying they saw him being attacked in the water.
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Police later confirmed they found a vandalized surfboard belonging to the popular Australian surfer.
Appleby was playing in the sea at popular The Granites beach, near the coastal town of Streaky Bay, on the fateful night.
At around 7:10 pm, horrified witnesses say they noticed a figure approaching him in the water.
Jeff Schumucker, a friend of the victim’s family who watched the horrific experience unfold, gave a harrowing account of the surfer’s final moments.
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He told 7NEWS: “He caught a wave, came off it and proceeded to paddle backwards, and was attacked.”
In a frantic search for the man, several witnesses got on jet skis to scare away the possible murderers.
Others stayed on the beach and called the police.
The search team discovered a surfboard with a piece torn off shortly after the attack, a South Australian police spokesperson confirmed.
Local Schumucker said he saw the mangled board along with a ruined set of ropes when they brought it to shore.
“The board had a bite mark on the bottom and the rope was cut in half,” he said.
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“It just hits everyone really hard, especially the locals.”
Appleby had returned to Eyre Peninsula to spend Christmas with his family, locals added.
Granites Beach was closed to the public Thursday immediately after the shark sightings were reported.
It has been closed since Saturday and the public is urged to avoid the area until a body is discovered.
This beautiful coastal strip is said to be a hotspot for sharks, especially this time of year, according to the Adelaide Advertiser.
Shark researchers have consistently labeled the area as a playground for great white sharks because the water conditions are perfect for the beasts.
the southern state Australia has recorded more shark attacks than usual in the last two years.
Tributes pour in for the “talented” athlete
After Appleby was appointed as the missing The 28-year-old surfer began receiving dozens of moving tributes from his family, friends and loved ones.
One Eyre Peninsula local described him as a “talented football and basketball player”.
It is said that he once played football for Marble Vary FC and stood out as one of their star players.
Rival team Wayback shared their own message regarding the athlete.
He said: “How tragic. He is not a Waybacker, but a highly respected opponent and player of Marble Vary FC and a close friend of several of our players and supporters.
“Our thoughts are with Lance’s family and friends, Marble Vary FC and the wider Eyre Peninsula community.
“Rest in peace Lance Appleby.”
It is said that he studied at Streaky Bay Space Faculty, according to his social networks.
His profession appears on Facebook as a carpenter’s apprentice.
The company he seemed to work for, Allconstruct. Interiors Pty Ltd, also shared a tribute.
They wrote: “RIP to the great young talent Lance Appleby was a big part of the Allconstruct team last year and they quickly became friends.
“It is devastating to hear the news today”.
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