THE final moments of a missing surfer believed to have died in a horror shark attack have been revealed.

A desperate search for the body of Lance Appleby, 28, has been launched after he vanished on Thursday night – with onlookers saying they saw him being attacked in the water.

Police later confirmed they found a shredded surfboard belonging to the popular Australian surfer.

Appleby was playing around in the sea at the popular The Granites beach, near the coastal town of Streaky Bay on the fateful evening.

At around 7:10pm horrified witnesses say they noticed a figure approaching him in the water.

Jeff Schumucker, a family friend of the victim who saw the ordeal as it unfolded, gave a harrowing recount of the surfer’s final moments.

He told 7NEWS: “He caught a wave and flipped off the wave and proceeded to paddle back, and he was attacked.”

A frantic search for the man saw several witnesses jump onto jet skis to scare away any potential killers.

Others stayed on the beach and called the cops.

The of the search party then discovered a surf board which had a chunk taken out of it shortly after the attack, a South Australia Police spokesperson confirmed.

Local Schumucker said he saw the mangled board along with a ruined set of ropes as it was bought back to shore.

“The board had a bite mark in the bottom and the rope was severed in half,” he said.

“It just hits everyone so hard, particularly the locals.”

Appleby had come home to the Eyre Peninsula to spend Christmas with his family, locals added.

The Granites beach was closed to the public on Thursday straight after the shark sightings were reported.

It has remained closed as of Saturday with the public urged to avoid the area until a body has been discovered.

The beautiful stretch of coastline is said to be a shark hotspot especially around this time of year, according to the Adelaide Advertiser.

Shark researchers have constantly labelled the area as a playground for great whites due to the water conditions being perfect for the beasts.

The state of South Australia has registered more shark attacks in the past two years than usual.

Tributes pour in for “talented” sportsman

After Appleby was named as the missing surfer dozens of touching tributes to the 28-year-old started to come from his family, friends and loved ones.

An Eyre Peninsula local described him as a “talented football and basketball player”.

He is said to have once played football for Marble Range FC and stood out as one of their star players.

Rival team Wayback went on to share their own message in regards to the athlete.

It said: “So tragic. Not a Waybacker but a highly respected opponent and player with the Marble Range FC and close friend of a number of our players and supporters.

“Our thoughts are with Lance’s family, friends, and the Marble Range FC and the wider Eyre Peninsula Community.

“RIP Lance Appleby.”

He is said to have studied at Streaky Bay Area School, acccording to his social media.

On Facebook his profession is listed as an apprentice carpenter.

The company he appeared to work for, Allconstruct Interiors Pty Ltd, also shared a tribute.

They wrote: “RIP to great young talent Lance Appleby was a big part of Allconstruct team last year and quickly became friends.

“Devastating to hear the news today.”