Sydney shark attack: Family pays tribute to gentle man who would not want shark killed

The family of the British man killed by a shark in Sydney last week, has paid tribute to the “gentle, kind and wonderful human being”, who loved wildlife.

The family of a British expat who was killed by a great white shark off Sydney have spoken for the first time to say he loved wildlife and would not want the animal destroyed if caught.

Diving instructor Simon Nellist, 35, originally from Cornwall, in England, had lived in Australia for six years when he was mauled to death by a great white shark off Sydney’s Little Bay Beach on Wednesday.

It was Sydney’s first fatal shark attack since 1963.

Simon Nellist was killed in a shark attack at Little Bay in Sydney on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

It has been revealed that Mr Nellist had previously served two combat tours of Afghanistan with the Royal Air Force.

The 35-year-old was due to marry Jessie Ho, the “girl of his dreams” before he was killed.

His aunt Jacqui Seager, 62, said he was an animal lover who would not have wanted the shark to be destroyed if it is caught.

She paid tribute to her nephew to local media, saying he always loved the sea.

“He loved wildlife and the world. He had a real love affair with nature,” she said.

She said Mr Nellist’s mum had asked how could her son have returned from the frontline in Afghanistan “unscathed to then go to Australia, go out for a swim and get killed?”.

Simon Nellist was killed in a shark attack at Little Bay in Sydney. He was engaged to Jessie Ho. Source, https://www.strava.com/athletes/47393860

In a statement to the BBC his family in the UK also paid tribute to his “rare gift” for connecting with people.

They said he was a “proud Cornishman” who was engaged to be married, and was a “gentle, kind and wonderful human being” and that they “miss him terribly”.

“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,” they said.

His friends also said Mr Nellist was a keen swimmer and diver, with his social media profiles littered with images of him out on the water — including at the same location near where he was killed.

Pictured is a little girl hanging a flower next to other tributes on a pathway leading to Little Bay in Sydney. Simon Nellist was killed in a fatal shark attack there whilst swimming in the bay two days earlier. Picture: Richard Dobson

His friends described him on social media as a “big softie” and “such a lovely guy”.

Authorities searched have so far not been able to track down the shark which killed Mr Nellist.

Beaches were initially closed nearby but have now reopened.