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.
A 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 a bloke 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.
The shark that attacked Baccanello has not been identified, but it is believed to be a great white shark.
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.”
This was the second fatal shark attack in Australia this year.
Stella Berry, 16, was killed Feb. 4 in a shark attack in Perth’s Swan River. She was swimming with friends near North Fremantle when she was attacked. The attack occurred almost 100 years to the day after the last fatal shark attack in the river. Fisheries has opened an investigation and may consider the use of barriers to prevent sharks from entering the area.
This is not the first time a great white has fully consumed a victim.
Swimmer Simon Nellist, 35, was attacked by a white shark off New South Wales. The avid diver was in deep water Feb. 16, 2022, when a white shark attacked him. Video from the scene showed the shark striking the remains multiple times until they were essentially gone.
All locations are marked on the 2023 Shark Attack Map.
