25.2 C
Accra
Monday, August 4, 2025
WorldTeacher reportedly dead after being attacked by a shark in South Australia

Date:

Teacher reportedly dead after being attacked by a shark in South Australia

Authorities believe a school teacher who was attacked by a shark while surfing on Saturday is dead. They have discovered wetsuit fragments and what they believe to be the teacher’s surfboard.

On Saturday, Walkers Rock Beach on South Australia’s west coast received a call from emergency services reporting a shark attack, according to a statement from the local police force.

Simon Baccanello, a 46-year-old teacher at the nearby Elliston Area School, has been recognised by local CNN stations but has not yet been officially identified by authorities.

Police said in a statement Monday that they had recovered “two items of interests in relation to the search for a missing surfer, presumed dead after a shark attack.”

One of them appears to be a piece of wetsuit material, while the other item is believed to be some small pieces of white polystyrene possibly from the surfboard, said police, who are sending the items to be forensically analyzed.

Trevlyn Smith, a unit manager from SES, previously told CNN affiliate 9 News that the remains of the surfboard they retrieved showed “one bite mark.”

After consulting with Baccanello’s family, emergency services said they would continue to search the area and surrounding beaches in the coming days after high tide.

His family issued a statement saying his death was a “tragic loss,” according to 9 News.

Baccanello started his stint at the Elliston Area School in January, according to his LinkedIn profile.

“He had a real keenness with his students to make them feel good to build those relationships with the students,” the school’s principal Chad Fleming told 9 News.

Pulteney Grammar School – where Baccanello taught in Adelaide between 2007 and 2009, and then 2022 – also issued a statement on Facebook.

“He is well remembered by the School community as a fine teacher, a generous friend and a genuine, authentic human being,” the statement said.

Shark attacks are relatively rare off South Australia – according to the Australian Shark Incident Database, there were 20 shark encounters in 2022, resulting in 14 injuries and one death.

South Australia only contributed one case that did not involve any injury.

In February earlier this year, a 16-year-old girl was killed by a shark while swimming in a river in Perth, Western Australia.

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

“Don’t make me and Stonebwoy fight ooo”- Samini warn netizens

Veteran dancehall musician, Samini has warned netizens to resist...

Kanye West’s Heil Hitler song bans him from entering Australia

US rapper Kanye West has been banned from entering...

Agradaa describes moment shared with President Mahama heavenly – Agradaa

Evangelist Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Agradaa, shared a...

Dada Joe Remix extradited to face romance scam charges in USA

Ghana’s nightlife mogul and alleged crypto kingpin, Nana Kojo...

Govt launches 24-Hour Economy policy today

The government's flagship, 24-Hour Economy Policy, will be launched...

GRA sets July 16 for GHS1 fuel levy implementation

The implementation of the new GHS1 Energy Sector Shortfall...

Related stories

US travel ban against Togo, Libya, others takes effect today

Effective today, Monday, June 9, nationals of twelve countries...

Pakistan: Police in search of over 200 inmates following earth tremor

Over 200 inmates are currently on the run after...

Pope Leo XIV shares canonical acceptance

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has officially accepted his election...

Profile of the new Pope – Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost

"Peace be with all of you!" - the first...

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost named as the 267th Pope, takes the name Pope Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been elected as the...

Black smoke signals end of first day of conclave to elect new pope

A thick column of black smoke rising from the...

Siemens exec and his family involved in fatal Hudson helicopter crash

Tragedy struck New York City on Thursday when a...