A 46-year-old teacher was killed in a shark attack May 14 at Walkers Rock Beach on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. Simon Baccanello was with other surfers, including children, when a large shark was spotted just before 10 a.m. A good Samaritan on the beach began honking his car horn to alert those in the water to come to shore. Baccanello spotted the suspected white shark in the water and told young surfers in the water not to worry and to swim back 100 feet to shore.
"I saw a large shark swimming near the shore. It was at least 10 feet long and it had a white underbelly. It attacked the man from behind and dragged him underwater," according to a witness who asked not to be identified.
The witness saw what he estimated as a 10-foot long shark with a white underbelly swimming near shore before it attacked Baccanello from behind, dragging him underwater.
"There was someone on the beach tooting his horn and as I turned around, I saw everyone paddling in," Jaiden Millar told Adelaide Now. "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 . . . he was gone. (We) saw the shark just thrashing around out the back. The shark obviously let go and come back and got him for a third time."
Police were called to the scene, but only located the surfboard which had a bite mark in the middle, pieces of Styrofoam, and pieces of the wetsuit as they washed ashore. Authorities believe any remains would be washed ashore rather than out to sea, indicating the shark may have fully consumed the body.
Based on his love and care for his students, it is possible Baccanello focused on their safety over his own and intentionally stayed at the end of the pack so they could arrive to shore safely.
The small town of Elliston is mourning the popular teacher and the school has set up a grief counseling service for students and staff.
"The family of Simon Baccanello are deeply saddened by his tragic and sudden death. Simon was a much-loved husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was a kind, caring and inspiring person who will be deeply missed by all who knew him," his family said in a statement. "We would like to thank the Elliston community, family and friends for their outpouring of support during this difficult time. We would also like to ask for privacy as we grieve our loss."
"I saw a large shark swimming near the shore. It was at least 10 feet long and it had a white underbelly. It attacked the man from behind and dragged him underwater," according to a witness who asked not to be identified.
The witness saw what he estimated as a 10-foot long shark with a white underbelly swimming near shore before it attacked Baccanello from behind, dragging him underwater.
"There was someone on the beach tooting his horn and as I turned around, I saw everyone paddling in," Jaiden Millar told Adelaide Now. "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 . . . he was gone. (We) saw the shark just thrashing around out the back. The shark obviously let go and come back and got him for a third time."
Police were called to the scene, but only located the surfboard which had a bite mark in the middle, pieces of Styrofoam, and pieces of the wetsuit as they washed ashore. Authorities believe any remains would be washed ashore rather than out to sea, indicating the shark may have fully consumed the body.
Based on his love and care for his students, it is possible Baccanello focused on their safety over his own and intentionally stayed at the end of the pack so they could arrive to shore safely.
The small town of Elliston is mourning the popular teacher and the school has set up a grief counseling service for students and staff.
"The family of Simon Baccanello are deeply saddened by his tragic and sudden death. Simon was a much-loved husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was a kind, caring and inspiring person who will be deeply missed by all who knew him," his family said in a statement. "We would like to thank the Elliston community, family and friends for their outpouring of support during this difficult time. We would also like to ask for privacy as we grieve our loss."
A 46-year-old teacher was killed in a shark attack May 14 at Walkers Rock Beach on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. Simon Baccanello was with other surfers, including children, when a large shark was spotted just before 10 a.m. A good Samaritan on the beach began honking his car horn to alert those in the water to come to shore. Baccanello spotted the suspected white shark in the water and told young surfers in the water not to worry and to swim back 100 feet to shore.
"I saw a large shark swimming near the shore. It was at least 10 feet long and it had a white underbelly. It attacked the man from behind and dragged him underwater," according to a witness who asked not to be identified.
The witness saw what he estimated as a 10-foot long shark with a white underbelly swimming near shore before it attacked Baccanello from behind, dragging him underwater.
"There was someone on the beach tooting his horn and as I turned around, I saw everyone paddling in," Jaiden Millar told Adelaide Now. "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 . . . he was gone. (We) saw the shark just thrashing around out the back. The shark obviously let go and come back and got him for a third time."
Police were called to the scene, but only located the surfboard which had a bite mark in the middle, pieces of Styrofoam, and pieces of the wetsuit as they washed ashore. Authorities believe any remains would be washed ashore rather than out to sea, indicating the shark may have fully consumed the body.
Based on his love and care for his students, it is possible Baccanello focused on their safety over his own and intentionally stayed at the end of the pack so they could arrive to shore safely.
The small town of Elliston is mourning the popular teacher and the school has set up a grief counseling service for students and staff.
"The family of Simon Baccanello are deeply saddened by his tragic and sudden death. Simon was a much-loved husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was a kind, caring and inspiring person who will be deeply missed by all who knew him," his family said in a statement. "We would like to thank the Elliston community, family and friends for their outpouring of support during this difficult time. We would also like to ask for privacy as we grieve our loss."
"I saw a large shark swimming near the shore. It was at least 10 feet long and it had a white underbelly. It attacked the man from behind and dragged him underwater," according to a witness who asked not to be identified.
The witness saw what he estimated as a 10-foot long shark with a white underbelly swimming near shore before it attacked Baccanello from behind, dragging him underwater.
"There was someone on the beach tooting his horn and as I turned around, I saw everyone paddling in," Jaiden Millar told Adelaide Now. "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 . . . he was gone. (We) saw the shark just thrashing around out the back. The shark obviously let go and come back and got him for a third time."
Police were called to the scene, but only located the surfboard which had a bite mark in the middle, pieces of Styrofoam, and pieces of the wetsuit as they washed ashore. Authorities believe any remains would be washed ashore rather than out to sea, indicating the shark may have fully consumed the body.
Based on his love and care for his students, it is possible Baccanello focused on their safety over his own and intentionally stayed at the end of the pack so they could arrive to shore safely.
The small town of Elliston is mourning the popular teacher and the school has set up a grief counseling service for students and staff.
"The family of Simon Baccanello are deeply saddened by his tragic and sudden death. Simon was a much-loved husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was a kind, caring and inspiring person who will be deeply missed by all who knew him," his family said in a statement. "We would like to thank the Elliston community, family and friends for their outpouring of support during this difficult time. We would also like to ask for privacy as we grieve our loss."
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