The bodies of two women have been recovered after they were swept out to sea.
An extensive search was launched on Tuesday morning after two women, aged 65 and 67, went missing near Back Beach on South ‘s Eyre Peninsula.
Their bodies were later pulled from the water.
It’s understood that the pair were fishing when at least one of them was caught in a large swell.
Emergency services were called to the scene about 11.15am with police assisted by SAPOL’s Water Operations Unit and the SES.
A surfer attempted to rescue the women and pulled one of them from the water from was unable to revive her.
The body of the second woman was later discovered.
The women are yet to be formally identified, but the it’s understood the 67-year-old was from Sturt and the 65-year-old a Streaky Bay local.
Back Beach is a popular surf spot and is not recommended for swimmers due to strong rips.
The latest tragedy comes four months after surfer Lance Appleby, 28, was mauled to death by a shark in nearby Streaky Bay.
‘It is another tragic blow for our community of Streaky Bay and my condolences go out to the family and friends at this very tough time,’ Streaky Bay mayor Travis Barber said.
‘My thoughts and thanks also go out to the volunteers and first responders that have had to deal with yet another tragic incident of which would be very close to home for many of them, as it does when you live in a small close knit community.
‘We will rally around them and pull together again.’