Search for surfer Simon Baccanello, taken by great white shark near Elliston, continues
Remnants of a wetsuit have been discovered in the search for an avid surfer who has been remembered as a dedicated teacher after he was taken by a shark.
SA News
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An Elliston surfer has been remembered as a dedicated teacher who was “adored” by his students as remnants of a wetsuit were discovered after he was taken by a shark on Saturday.
Simon Baccanello had only joined Elliston Area School in January but principal Chad Fleming said ‘Mr B’, as he was known, had made his mark on the community.
“This is a tragic loss of a quality educator, valued colleague, and a remarkable man who was a true friend to everyone.’’ Mr Fleming said.
“In his short time at our school, and in our community … he had a sincerely positive impact on us all.
“With his dedication to education and an enthusiastic and positive approach to learning and life, Simon showed care and respect to everyone.
“He was an avid surfer and absolutely loved living the Elliston lifestyle, being a keen fisherman too.
“He was also involved in junior sports, football, and tennis.”
The much-loved teacher is feared dead after being attacked by a shark at popular surfing spot Walkers Rocks near town around 10am on Saturday.
Remnants of a wetsuit were found during Sunday’s extensive search but Mr Baccanello’s body is yet to located.
The discovery came after Mr Baccanello’s family broke its silence saying it was “grateful” as emergency services returned to Walkers Rocks around 7am on Sunday morning.
“The family are grateful for the support of the Elliston community, family and friends, and would appreciate their privacy as they process this tragic loss,” the family said in a statement.
Mr Baccanello began working at Elliston Area School in January and according to a LinkedIn profile under name, he previously worked at Canggu Community School in Bali.
Mr Fleming said students at staff at the school would be provided with wellbeing support from Monday.
Elliston District Council chief executive Nikki Becker said the town was “devastated at the loss of Simon, a new but much loved member of our small community”.
“Our heartfelt thoughts go out to his family and friends,” Ms Becker said.
“The community, as it has always done, will rally together to provide the support needed for those affected by this tragic loss.”
Police said the search for Mr Baccanello would continue until sundown on Sunday, however, by 2.30pm, emergency services had left the beach where the surfer was attacked.
Up to 15 people join the search, which examine 5km of beach north and south of the spot Mr Baccanello was attacked.
The search was expected to resume at 7am Monday.
South Australia Police Superintendent Paul Bahr said it was a “very tragic day yesterday” for the “tight-knit” community.
“Our searches continue today, we have SES and CFS volunteers assisting with the search in the beach around the Walkers Rocks area,” he said at a press conference.
“As you can understand they are clearly going to be very, very distressed, as are a lot of people who were present in the water at the same time.
“It was, from what I understand, quite a horrendous incident and something that I’m sure will resonate across a number of communities for a long time.”
Superintendent Bahr said it was understood that “up to a dozen or so surfers” were in the water when the incident occurred.
“He was at the back of the group who were surfing when the attack occurred,” he said.
Locals laid flowers at the beach on Sunday morning in tribute to Mr Baccanello, sprinkling petals into the ocean.
“Because it’s a close-knit community, everyone knows everyone,” Jenny, a local, told The Advertiser after laying her tribute.
“It’s very sad for this town.”
Jenny said the surfers who witnessed the attack on Saturday would “never forget it”.
She said all locals were conscious of sharks at nearby beaches.
“We live with sharks but you never want it to happen,” she said.
“He was doing what he loved.”
Couple Astrid and Jerry, from Phillip Island in Victoria, were camping nearby when Mr Baccanello was attacked.
They said it was “shocking” the attack was so close to shore.
“It’s a family friendly beach,” Astrid said.
“He got up yesterday morning to have a surf never ever dreaming his life would be over.
“You just can’t get your head around it.”
SURFBOARD ‘TOMBSTONED’
A surfer has told of the horrifying moment a shark attack victim’s surfboard “tombstoned” as he was dragged underwater in a great white attack off the West Coast town of Elliston.
Popular local teacher Simon Baccanello, 46, is believed to have been killed in the attack, which happened at the popular local beach of Walkers Rocks, around 10am Saturday morning. Emergency services are yet to locate Mr Baccanello’s body.
Jaiden Millar, 22, was in the water when the teacher, who began working at Elliston Area School in January, was attacked.
“The worst part was there was a 13-year-old out there and he witnessed everything,” Mr Millar, who is from Geraldton in Western Australia, said.
“It was such a confronting incident. There were 15 or 20 people out there today.
“It could have been anyone.”
Mr Millar said he didn’t realise until after the incident what had happened.
“I had actually caught a wave at the time and as I got off the wave I heard the (car) horn going – there was a bloke on the beach tooting his horn and as I turned around I saw everyone paddling in,” he said.
“At that time I sort of realised what was going on.
“I saw his board tombstoning, which means he’s underwater and his board’s getting dragged under … trying to fight his way back up to the surface.
“We all looked at each other like, ‘what do we do?’ I yelled out, ‘call an ambulance’ but I’m sure the bloke on the beach had already been on the phone trying to get a hold of the ambulance.”
Mr Millar said about 15 minutes after the attack he saw the man’s surfboard “tombstoning” about 500m off shore.
The beach is known as a family beach where most of the town’s children learn to surf.
Surfing South Australia CEO Craig Potgieter said it was always a tragedy to lose a surfer and his condolences and sympathy went out to the man’s family and the people of Elliston.
“Surfing has an element of risk, but it’s very sad whenever something like this happens,” Mr Potgieter said.
Education Minister Blair Boyer said he had spoken with Elliston Area School principal Chad Fleming to offer his support.
“The circumstances of Saturday’s incident are devastating and my heart goes out to Mr Baccanello’s family and loved ones during this very difficult time,” Mr Boyer said.
“The Education Department has put in place wellbeing supports and the Education Director will be based at the school for the foreseeable future so we can ensure that appropriate supports are in place for Mr Baccanello’s colleagues and students.”
SHARK DEATHS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
February 8, 2014
Spearfisherman, high school teacher Sam Kellett taken off Goldsmith Beach, York Peninsula
February 17, 2011
Abalone diver Peter Clarkson killed by two great whites at Perforated Island, near Coffin Bay
August 24, 2005
Diver Jarrod Stehbens taken by a great white at Glenelg
December 16, 2004
Nick Peterson taken while towing behind a boat on a surfboard at West Beach
April 30, 2002
Scallop diver Paul Buckland killed by a great white at Smoky Bay, Eyre Peninsula
September 25, 2000
Jevan Wright, 17, taken by a great white while surfing at Blacks, Elliston
September 24, 2000
Cameron Bayes killed by a great white while surfing at Cactus, near Penong
May 29, 1999
Windsurfer Tony Donoghue believed to have been taken by a shark at Hardwicke Bay, Yorke Peninsula
June 28, 1998
Doug Chesher fatally attacked while free-diving for abalone at Neptune Island, south of Port Lincoln
September 8, 1991
Jonathon Lee killed by a great white while scuba diving at Snapper Point
March 9, 1989
Matthew Foale killed by a shark while surfing at Waitpinga
September 18, 1987
Scuba diver Terrance Gibson killed at Merino Rocks, in Adelaide’s south
March 3, 1985
Shirley Durdin killed by a shark while snorkelling for scallops at Wiseman’s Beach, near Tumby Bay
February 10, 1975
Wade Shipard, 12, killed while swimming at Point Sinclair, near Penong
January 19, 1975
David Barrowman taken by a shark while surfing at Almonta, near Coffin Bay
January 9, 1974
Terry Manuel killed while diving for abalone near Streaky Bay
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