Wetsuit material found in surfer shark attack search

Trainer Simon Baccanello was behind a bunch of a couple of dozen surfers at Walkers Rock Seaside on Eyre Peninsula on Saturday morning when he was attacked.

Efforts to search out the 46-year-old over the weekend failed and resumed on Monday, with police and volunteers concentrating on areas of the coast close to the place the incident occurred.

They later reported discovering what seemed to be a bit of wetsuit materials and a few small items of polystyrene that could possibly be from a surfboard.

The objects will probably be forensically examined. Police stated they might proceed the search over coming days.

“We’ll be doing the seashores round Walkers Rock and we’ll be checking for any indicators which may level to what occurred,” Superintendent Paul Bahr stated.

“We continued the search alongside the shore alongside Walkers Rock yesterday. We did discover a number of objects of curiosity that we’ve now collected.

“We’re within the means of placing collectively a report which is able to go to the coroner.”

Supt Bahr stated crews have been looking the high-tide marks, with the assistance of volunteers, for any extra particles.

Saturday’s incident occurred close to a reef break well-liked with surfers in an space with a historical past of shark assaults.

Supt Bahr acknowledged it was a troublesome time for the tight-knit neighborhood.

“Individuals are going to be in misery,” he stated on Sunday.

“It’ll take time to get them to a degree the place we are able to discuss to them and get statements from them.

“They’d all know somebody who was concerned, if not the sufferer themselves, so I think about it is extremely powerful for them.”

Baccanello joined the native Elliston Space Faculty initially of the yr.

Schooling Minister Blair Boyer stated he was a cherished trainer and member of the area people.

“There will probably be a really lengthy interval of grief. Significantly for younger youngsters on the faculty coming to phrases with the lack of their trainer,” Boyer stated.

“The circumstances of it is going to add and compound that grief.”

Boyer stated the division had put assist companies in place for the trainer’s colleagues and college students.

The minister stated he had spoken with principal Chad Fleming and different neighborhood leaders to make sure that they had every thing they wanted.

Boyer stated he had not spoken to the trainer’s household, in step with needs for privateness, however was prepared to take action at any time.

Fleming stated Baccanello was a valued colleague and a real pal to everybody.

“Together with his dedication to training and an enthusiastic and constructive method to studying and life, Simon confirmed care and respect to everybody,” he stated.

-AAP