Family release moving tribute to 'gentle, kind and wonderful' British man killed by shark

19 February 2022, 15:11

Simon, a British husband-to-be and charity swimmer, was killed by a shark in Sydney on Wednesday
Simon, a British husband-to-be and charity swimmer, was killed by a shark in Sydney on Wednesday. Picture: Facebook

By Daisy Stephens

The family of Simon Nellist have paid tribute to a "gentle, kind and wonderful" man after he was mauled to death by a shark off the coast of Sydney on Wednesday.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

In the tribute, they said he "always had time for people" and that they would "miss him terribly".

"Simon was a gentle, kind and wonderful human being," they said.

"He was a cherished fiancée, son, brother, uncle and friend."

They added: "Simon was funny, compassionate and always had time for people.

"He had a rare gift of instantly being able to connect with others, gaining their trust and respect."

Read more: Brit shark attack victim was former RAF serviceman due to marry 'girl of his dreams'

Read more: Russian invasion would 'shock the world' and 'destroy democracy' in Ukraine, warns PM

Mr Nellist, 35, was killed in the first fatal shark attack in Sydney for 60 years.

While he lived in Australia with his fiancée Jessie, he was originally from the west Cornwall village of Ludgvan.

His family said he was a "proud Cornishman" but had made Australia his home.

"Simon had a great passion for nature and the sea, as well as being a very talented photographer," they said.

The attack took place at Little Bay in Sydney
The attack took place at Little Bay in Sydney. Picture: Alamy

Emergency services were called to Little Bay 4.35pm on Wednesday following reports a swimmer had been attacked by a shark, believed to be a great white.

They scoured the nearby sea and "located human remains in the water".

The victim was later named as Mr Nellist.

His friend Della Ross told 7News shortly after the attack that Mr Nellist was "one of the people who make this earth lighter".

Read more: New snow warning with thousands still without power as UK begins Storm Eunice clear-up

Read more: Watchdog stopped Captain Sir Tom Moore's daughter being given top role at charity

Another friend told The Sun he was "amazing".

"Simon was amazing," they said.

"That’s all there is to say really.

"He was just the best.

"He was the nicest, kindest human.

"It is a huge loss."

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

South Africa Bus Crash

Girl, 8, the sole survivor as 45 die in bus crash off South Africa bridge

A spokesman has denied reports the sausage dog could be banned.

The wurst news is over: Germany denies claims of sausage dog ban

Israel Palestinians Britain Aid

UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings into Gaza

Greece Confidence Vote

Greece’s government survives no-confidence motion called over rail disaster

Israel Palestinians UN Security Council

Russia ‘abolishes’ monitoring of sanctions on North Korea with UN veto

Firefighters at the scene of a bus crash in Limpopo

Bus falls from bridge in South Africa and erupts into flames, killing at least 45 and leaving child, 8, as lone survivor

Music-Green Day UN

Green Day to headline UN-backed global climate concert

Sam Bankman-Fried

FTX founder Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison for crypto fraud

France Valentino

Former Gucci designer Alessandro Michele named Valentino creative director

Russia Shooting

Russia arrests another suspect in concert hall attack that killed 143

American Easter egg

White House’s annual Easter egg roll to be attended by 40,000 people

Barbers in Paris

Proposal to ban discrimination over a person’s hair passes first legal hurdle

Mahmoud Abbas

Palestinian Authority names new government following pressure to reform

Arvind Kejriwal

Opposition leader Kejriwal locked up for further four days, court rules

Resident clears rubble from home

Russia wears down Ukrainian defences with missile and drone attacks

Pope Francis

Pope urges priests to avoid ‘clerical hypocrisy’ in Maundy Thursday speech