Updated Jan. 26
A shark-damaged wetsuit has been found while searching for a missing snorkeler in South Australia.
Duncan Craw, 32, was on a camping trip with his wife Taylia and young son Levi in the Port MacDonnell area. Around 5 p.m. Jan. 21, the operations manager disappeared while snorkeling off Surfers Way.
Officials were alerted and a search teams were dispatched. Along with officials, residents used binoculars to search from the beach while other used paddleboards to scour the area.
Searchers located two snorkeling fins floating on the water presumed to be Craw’s fins.
SA Police Limestone Coast operations manager Campbell Hill said a large shark, thought to be a great white, was also spotted in an area next to the reef where Craw was last seen as well as a separate smaller shark.
Due to the failing light, the search was suspended until this morning.
“We remained hopeful and resumed the search first thing in the morning but, sadly, we located a wetsuit with significant damage to it, as well as another part of equipment we understand he was using,” Inspector Hill told The Standard.
“Unfortunately, we have put it all together and it certainly paints a picture of a fatal shark attack.”
Remains were located Jan. 25 and the family said in a statement that it believes Craw suffered a medical episode before the shark arrived.
Mr. Craw, who traveled from Warrnambool, would have turned 33 on Saturday.
“It’s impossible to adequately describe our grief and shock,” the family said in a statement.
“We wish this was all a bad dream. It’s also impossible to fully explain the hole this will leave behind in the lives of all the relatives and friends who love Duncan.
“He was a cheerful, loving, helpful son. He was a kind and cheeky brother to his sisters. He was a fun-loving, mischievous, and supportive mate who had a heart of gold.
“We will never forget Duncan and we will make sure his memory lives on.
“Duncan loved snorkeling and accepted the dangers he may face in the ocean. He was extremely unlucky this time.
“On behalf of all Duncan’s family across Victoria and in New Zealand, we thank all the search and rescue crews and all the selfless volunteers for their tireless efforts and for the care shown by everyone who has offered their help during this awful time.”
This is the second reported fatal shark attack of 2021.
Kaelah Marlow,19, was off Waihī Beach, in western Bay of Plenty, New Zealand Jan. 7.
The vacationing teen was pulled out to deep water by a rip current where she was bitten by a suspected white shark.
Lifeguards responded and collected the young woman who had significant leg injuries. She was taken to the beach and given first aid but succumbed to the injury.
Both locations have been marked on the 2021 Shark Attack Map.
