A four-metre shark has mauled a 55-year-old surfer to death – with emergency crews searching for his body.
The man was surfing near Granites Beach, south of Streaky Bay on South ‘s Eyre Peninsula, at about 10.20am when he was suddenly attacked.
A witness reported the shark was four-metres long.
Eyre and Western Police immediately initiated a search with the assistance of Police Water Operations, PolAir, State Emergency Service and local volunteers.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the surfer’s body hadn’t been found but South Police said in a statement: ‘The search will continue through to day’s end.’
A 55-year-old surfer was killed by a four-metre shark near Granites Beach, south of Streaky Bay on South ‘s Eyre Peninsula (above)
Streaky Bay is located 700km northwest of Adelaide and is a popular coastal tourist town with nearby attractions including the Smooth Pool and High Cliffs.
However, the area is well-known for its large great white shark population with a recognised breeding ground just down the coast from Streaky Bay in Elliston.
Tuesday’s attack was the region’s second in recent weeks after South n woman Pamela Cook was mauled by a shark at Beachport on October 2.
The 64-year-old was on her morning swim with local community group Beachport Sea Urchins and Slugs when she was attacked shortly before 8am.
A witness reportedly watched as a four-metre shark mauled the man at about 10.20am on Tuesday
She was bitten on the leg and flown to Mount Gambier Hospital in a stable condition.
Just months earlier in May, 46-year-old Elliston man Simon Baccanello was killed in a shark attack on Walkers Rocks Beach.
The teacher was mauled some 30 to 50 metres offshore.