Simon Harris has been identified as the man found dead at the Port Pirie boat ramp

The man who was pulled from the water near a boat ramp has been identified, with his heartbroken family describing him as a “good bloke” who would be “missed dearly”.

Mystery surrounds the death of a man whose body was pulled from the shallow waters near a Port Pirie boat ramp on Saturday morning.

The first sighting of the body was reported to emergency services just after 6am on the esplanade near Main Rd, at Solomontown.

Port Pirie West man Simon Harris, 50, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the circumstances were not believed to be suspicious.

A 50-year-old man’s body has been pulled from the water at Solomontown in Port Pirie. Police say the man’s death does not appear suspicious at this stage. #7NEWSpic.twitter.com/4o2LVtSZ28

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) August 17, 2024

Mr Harris’s nephew, Liam Moss, 23, arrived at the boat ramp with a friend just before 2.30pm.

Mr Moss, a university student, told the Sunday Mail that he drove from Adelaide immediately when he found out that the deceased was his uncle Simon.

“He was a really down-to-earth person and a really good uncle,” he said.

A family statement said: “His loving mum and family is deeply saddened by his passing and he will be missed dearly.”

Mr Harris’s partner said she was with him on Friday night about 10.30pm and he “seemed all right”.

The partner, who did not want to be identified, told 9 News: “He’s a good bloke. He’d help anybody. If you were down and out he’d help you, made you laugh but he cared about everyone. He was down to earth … He’ll be missed by his family.”

Police said the cause of death could not be determined and that a report would be prepared for the SA Coroner.

A man has been pulled from the water in Solomontown this morning. Picture: Dean Martin

Police are investigating into the death, including divers searching the water. Picture: Dean Martin

SAPOL Water Operations divers retrieved the body from the water.

It is understood that CCTV footage from a nearby business shows the man was alive just before 5.30am.

Police also photographed a bicycle found near the boat ramp earlier in the morning, but it is unclear if it belonged to the deceased.

Resident Cathie Dunnill-Martin, 48, said she had come across the scene while walking her dog, and intended buying flowers and placing them near the ramp – even though he was a stranger.

“We’re a city of friendly people and things like this don’t happen often,” Ms Dunnill-Martin said.

“We’re a tight-knit community and this is going to make a big wave. I hope his family can be consoled and comforted.”

Divers searching the water. Picture: Dean Martin

The ramp reopened late on Saturday but investigations are ongoing.

The tragedy comes less than a week after two men died when their boat capsized off Kangaroo Island.

David Neave and Rodney Ingram, both aged 65, from Kangaroo Island, embarked on a fishing trip with a small cruiser that was found upturned in choppy waters on Wednesday evening.

Police urge anyone with information about the Solomontown incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.