An Australian surfer is presumed dead after he was dragged underwater by a shark in an area known to be frequented by great whites earlier this week, authorities said.
Tod Gendle, 55, was paddling in the water with a group of surfers near Granites Beach near Streaky Bay when he was knocked off his surfboard by a shark around 10:20 a.m. local time Tuesday, witnesses told ABC.
“The guy just caught a wave and started paddling out. He was knocked off his board by the shark and then it turned around and grabbed him,” Jack Martin recalled of the terrifying moment.
The shark then “smashed him and brought him down,” Martin said.
Local Jeff Schmucker jumped on his water skis to immediately help find Gendle, 7News reported.
“I immediately grabbed a surfboard that was floating in line,” he told ABC of the search.
Tod Gendle, 55, was dragged by a shark on Tuesday. 7Adelaide NEWS
He went to where witnesses said the attack happened and turned off his jetski, Schmucker explained.
“In one minute, great whites are 14 feet tall or more [approached],” he said.
Schmucker followed the shark in circles for several laps, but could find no trace of the missing surfer.
“At one point I was able to reach out and touch the shark’s dorsal fin as it came out of the water,” he said.
The fat creature was “the length of a sedan” and “weighed in between.” [2200 to 3000 pounds],” Schmucker added – though he admitted he wasn’t sure if it was the same shark from the attack on Gendle.
There were several spectators who were paddling with Gendle when the attack took place. 7Adelaide NEWS
“I’ve seen five great whites in the water at once on one occasion so you can’t count on the fact there might be more than one shark in there,” he said.
Gendle – whose body has yet to be found – was formally identified by his family on Thursday.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the police and volunteers for their dedicated efforts in recent times,” said the grieving loved one’s statement, according to ABC.
“We extend our appreciation to his friends and the local community of Streaky Bay, who had the opportunity to know Tod.
Gendle’s body has not yet been found. 7Adelaide NEWS
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were with Tod that day.”
Gendle travels to Australia regularly as a “very competent surfer,” Superintendent Paul Behr told the ABC.
“Depending on the wind, waves and currents, we will continue to search [for Gendle’s body] for a short period of time in at least the next two days,” continued Behr.
Searching for the shark involved in the attack is “futile”, however, and authorities will not try to track it down, Behr added.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
