Surfer, 46, mauled to death by shark at popular beach in front of horrified by-standers as hunt for body continues

A SURFER was mauled to death by a shark in front of horrified onlookers at a popular beach.

Emergency crews are searching for the body of a 46-year-old man after the incident was reported on Saturday morning in South Australia.

The terrifying attack happened around 10am at a beach near Elliston, a popular getaway about 400 miles west of Adelaide.

The man was reportedly surfing at Walkers Rock when he was attacked.

Trevlyn Smith, a local emergency service manager, told the ABC there was about 16 people in the water at the time.

He said: "There were obviously several people in the water and from what I can hear there were witnesses that saw evidence of the attack.

"It was fairly close to the shore I believe."

Police have since revealed they believe the man is now dead.

The South Australian Ambulance Service are reportedly on standby at the beach as cops continue the search.

More than half a dozen boats, as well as jet skis, are also being used to search the waters where he was last seen.

It comes after a boy was attacked by a shark while snorkelling in Western Australia just two weeks ago.

The horror attack happened when the 11-year-old was in the water at Kurrajong Campground near Exmouth.

Emergency crews from St John rushed to the scene and treated the boy on the beach.

The 11-year-old was airlifted by the Royal Flying Doctors Service and treated at a local hospital.

Australia has seen a spate of fatal shark attacks in 2023.

In February, teenager Stella Berry was mauled to death by a shark after jumping off her jet ski as she tried to swim with dolphins.

That same month, a 59-year-old was also killed by a shark near New Caledonia.

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