Friends, neighbours mourn ‘fantastic’ dad killed by shark

The elderly neighbour of a Sunshine Coast man killed by a shark says she wishes she had died instead so he could keep being the amazing father he was known for.

Shark attack victim Matthew Tratt was a loving father and husband from Buderim.

THE elderly neighbour of shark attack victim Matthew Tratt says she wishes she had died in place of him so he could keep "enjoying life" and being the amazing father he was known for.

Maria Stotschek described her next-door neighbour as a hardworking, loving dad taken too soon.

‘Hearts hurting’: Tributes for shark attack victim

Mr Tratt, 36, was spear fishing with his brother off Indian Head at Fraser Island when he was attacked.  His brother, bystanders and paramedics tried to revive him but he died at the scene.

Mr Tratt, an airconditioning contractor from Buderim, was a father-of-two.

Neighbours say the family had lived in the quiet cul-de-sac for years and were always friendly and willing to lend a hand.

Mrs Stotschek told the Daily when she heard a Sunshine Coast man was the victim of the shark attack, she knew "in my heart" that it was her neighbour.

Mr Tratt with his wife, Kayla.

"You couldn't get a better neighbour," she said.

"He was fantastic. Nice, friendly and helpful.

"I can't get over it."

Neighbours say the young family were keen fishers.

Mrs Stotschek was overcome with emotion when she said she should have died in Mr Tratt's place. She said it was devastating that his two young children would grow up without their loving father.

"They were a really lovely family," she said.

Police are preparing a report for the Coroner.

Originally published as Friends, neighbours mourn ‘fantastic’ dad killed by shark