Tragedy strikes Aussie coast, but the community’s response will leave you speechless
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Tragedies often strike without warning, leaving communities grappling with grief and searching for meaning.
What seemed like an ordinary moment quickly unfolded into a heartbreaking event, leaving unanswered questions and a wave of emotion in its wake.
What followed was a response that revealed the power of human connection in the face of devastating loss.
An online fundraiser has raised over $100,000 to honour 28-year-old surfer Lance Appleby, who tragically lost his life in a suspected shark attack off South Australia’s southwest coast.
Lance had been visiting family in the region when the attack occurred last Thursday while he was surfing at Granites, near Streaky Bay.
Witnesses believe Lance had just caught a wave, ‘flipped off the wave and proceeded to paddle back,’ when the shark struck.
A search effort involving police, SES, CFS, council members, and local volunteers concluded on Sunday after four days without locating Lance’s body.
‘The search for a surfer off the coast of Streaky Bay, on the Eyre Peninsula, has now concluded,’ police stated.
‘Police with the assistance of SES, CFS, Council members including the Mayor, and locals have searched the area over the past four days but sadly have not yet located his body.’
The community responded with an outpouring of support, raising funds to assist Lance’s family with financial burdens and to establish a memorial and plaque in his honour.
Family friend Jeff Schumaker confirmed the tragic sequence of events, stating that Lance ‘caught a wave and flipped off the wave and proceeded to paddle back, and he was attacked.’
A jet skier later found Lance’s surfboard, which bore a bite mark.
Lance had relocated to the Gold Coast in 2023 for work, joining the team at Allconstruct Interiors Pty Ltd, where he made a lasting impression.
In a tribute, his workplace shared: ‘RIP to great young talent Lance Appleby was a big part of Allconstruct team last year and quickly became friends.’
Lance’s brother Kenneth expressed the family’s grief, calling the loss ‘impossible pain.’
‘On Thursday evening, we received the tragic news that our much-loved brother Lance had been taken by a Great White Shark while surfing at Granites,’ Kenneth wrote.
‘The only solace we can find is knowing that Lance was doing what he loved, with a beaming smile on his face.’
‘Lance was the best brother we could ever ask for. He was caring, fiercely loyal, compassionate, and always up for an adventure. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was never afraid to express his emotions or talk about them.’
‘We would give anything to have him back.’
According to reports, the stretch of coastline where Lance was surfing is a known hotspot for sharks.
UniSA shark researcher Brianna Le Busque explained in 2023 that great whites often frequent the area because ‘the water goes (from) really deep to really shallow quickly.’
How do we balance our love for nature’s beauty with the risks it sometimes brings? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below.
What seemed like an ordinary moment quickly unfolded into a heartbreaking event, leaving unanswered questions and a wave of emotion in its wake.
What followed was a response that revealed the power of human connection in the face of devastating loss.
An online fundraiser has raised over $100,000 to honour 28-year-old surfer Lance Appleby, who tragically lost his life in a suspected shark attack off South Australia’s southwest coast.
Lance had been visiting family in the region when the attack occurred last Thursday while he was surfing at Granites, near Streaky Bay.
Witnesses believe Lance had just caught a wave, ‘flipped off the wave and proceeded to paddle back,’ when the shark struck.
A search effort involving police, SES, CFS, council members, and local volunteers concluded on Sunday after four days without locating Lance’s body.
‘The search for a surfer off the coast of Streaky Bay, on the Eyre Peninsula, has now concluded,’ police stated.
‘Police with the assistance of SES, CFS, Council members including the Mayor, and locals have searched the area over the past four days but sadly have not yet located his body.’
The community responded with an outpouring of support, raising funds to assist Lance’s family with financial burdens and to establish a memorial and plaque in his honour.
Family friend Jeff Schumaker confirmed the tragic sequence of events, stating that Lance ‘caught a wave and flipped off the wave and proceeded to paddle back, and he was attacked.’
A jet skier later found Lance’s surfboard, which bore a bite mark.
Lance had relocated to the Gold Coast in 2023 for work, joining the team at Allconstruct Interiors Pty Ltd, where he made a lasting impression.
In a tribute, his workplace shared: ‘RIP to great young talent Lance Appleby was a big part of Allconstruct team last year and quickly became friends.’
Lance’s brother Kenneth expressed the family’s grief, calling the loss ‘impossible pain.’
‘On Thursday evening, we received the tragic news that our much-loved brother Lance had been taken by a Great White Shark while surfing at Granites,’ Kenneth wrote.
‘The only solace we can find is knowing that Lance was doing what he loved, with a beaming smile on his face.’
‘Lance was the best brother we could ever ask for. He was caring, fiercely loyal, compassionate, and always up for an adventure. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was never afraid to express his emotions or talk about them.’
‘We would give anything to have him back.’
According to reports, the stretch of coastline where Lance was surfing is a known hotspot for sharks.
UniSA shark researcher Brianna Le Busque explained in 2023 that great whites often frequent the area because ‘the water goes (from) really deep to really shallow quickly.’
How do we balance our love for nature’s beauty with the risks it sometimes brings? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below.
