Sydney shark attack: Swimmer killed identified as British expat

A swimmer who was fatally mauled by a shark off the coast of Sydney has been named as 35-year-old Simon Nellist who was originally from the UK.

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[kimlombard]

Condolences to the family who lost their beloved son. He seemed like a really decent and caring individual, who loved animals and was compassionate for their needs too.

[lil]

What a bunch the Aussie's are, "Yeah, I knew about the shark attack, so I only went in for a quick dip".

[MrsLady-sdpc]

Why on earth would she proudly say, "yeah I knew of the shark attack and just jumped in for a bit" is beyond me.

[craigferris]

I can't understand people who swim in open water....so dangerous. A terrible, terrible tragedy. Condolences to his family and friends. RIP.

[RaiRaiBrown]

That's absolutely horrifying, that poor man, still so young, clearly kind hearted he wanted to do a charity swim event. I couldn't imagine the horror. Sharks don't usually try to eat people, this one's a man eater which is rare. They usually bite and go. My thoughts and prayers are sent for this victim and his family.

[Sarah-bjdi]

This proves that the whole “mistaken identity” theory of why sharks attack humans is completely wrong. The shark literally ate the man’s lower half and then came back to eat the rest of the man.

[joysimpson]

My sincerest condolences to his family/loved ones. The shark is not at fault ..

[littlesparrow]

I was raised from birth to adulthood on a house with the beach as my backyard. I heard all common tales of the seas. I'm always reminded I wouldn't swim where I couldn't see the bottom floor of the sea bed and the distant surroundings underwater. If it's too deep blue, it's too deep and I need a boat near me or some company or have an on looker. But I knew people who will swim alone in oceans, or jump off deep rock pools in those circumstances that give creeps, or on rivers/ bodies of water they aren't familiar with. This tragedy is part of my childhood nightmares, when swimming in 'deep blue' that I can't see the bottom floor of the sea bed and a monster lurks nearby and devours me. This is what happens when people have no reservations swimming in Australian waters with history of shark attacks and great whites... regardless of the nets, swimming alone in the 'deep blue'...although only 10 meters away from the coastal rocks doesn't guarantee true safety from the the hunt of an ocean predator who may have mistaken him for a seal. There is safety in numbers. If there was boat and look out, who knows of the his chances to survive. Very sad news, RIP to the victim.

[jking.o]

RIP bro. What a tragic death. Not how I'd want to go. I honestly hope he's in a better place.

[jp]

Australia since 2012 has had 239 shark attacks with a total of 27 fatalities. This accounts for 30% of all shark attacks world wide and is the #1 location in the world for fatalities.

[bengolfs]

I hope they don't catch the shark. It is blameless and was doing what all predators are born to do: hunt and kill.

[gamingdxg]

Sharks are moving closer to Populus beaches as the ocean is being robbed by the fishing industry. The natural order of things in the ocean has been destroyed by decades of commercial fishing and pollution. This is one of the examples of a beautiful creature doing what it shouldn't to live and retain it's right to live in the ocean. Sadly he was taken from his family and loved ones, but remember the sharks are also casualties and need to be protected.

[shannonfurstenberg]

Sad and tragic accident and our hearts go out to his family. However hunting a shark in its own environment is absolutely crazy. People know the risks...

[elijahdonaldson]

WOW! The reaction from the beach goers is very nonchalant.

[mtblover]

R.I.P and condolences to his loved ones. Why hunt for the shark? Is that not it's home? I bet the victim would not have wanted the shark to be hunted. Leave the animal be.

[Ellen.G]

Very, very sad, but who is to say that the shark they may lure in is the killer shark?
Stay out of the ocean for awhile.

[smc]

I agree with the majority of these comments...My heart goes out to the family, may he rest in peace...Having said that why look for the shark? Are they going to kill each shark they come across looking for remains? So what if they find remains, it's not going to save that poor man or bring him back, but it will kill a magnificent creature that was living its life, in its home environment and is already on the brink of being endangered because of humans...Sad situation all around.

[kezminnufc]

I'm gutted for him and his family . Hunting the shock on a freak accident is not what he would want

[ThisLeprechaunWrites]

We humans have invented pools, sea resorts, and even machines to practice surfing, apart from sailing and fishing, we really don't need to be swimming in the ocean. It's INSANITY, ESPECIALLY AUSTRALIA. May as well just swim off the coasts of South Africa and California and Florida. Out of them all, Australia is the most dangerous so ... ugh, just WHY? I don't get why people DON'T THINK!

[mikeyu]

Condolences to his family and friends. Getting eaten by any animal is horrific.