Teacher 'swallowed whole' by shark while fishing with friends off South Australia coast

A large great white shark swallowed a teacher alive as he fished with friends in South Australia, an inquest heard.

Sam Kellett, 28, had originally planned to dive at a different spot 100km away but a catastrophic fire warning forced them to move to Goldsmith Beach.

Mr Kellett was freediving with friends and fellow spearfishmen when he was attacked by the shark.

Witnesses told the inquest, in Adelaide, how the estimated five-metre shark thrashed its tail and launched itself out of the water, the local newspaper reported.

Mr Kellett's friends said they did not see the attack but saw a large pool of red blood where Sam had been.

In a statement, witness Aaron Whitaker said he heard one of the group yell.

The inquest heard police water operations divers were unable to find Mr Kellett’s body but his spear gun was recovered from the water with “discernible serrated incisions” consistent with white shark teeth impressions.