Emerald Beach shark attack victim Tim Thompson leaves behind heartbroken family and new wife

A young man who was fatally mauled by a shark has left behind a heartbroken family and wife who was expecting their first child. They had only recently married.

The young man who died in the horrific shark attack at Emerald Beach on Sunday morning had recently married the love of his life and the couple were expecting their first child.

Woolgoolga man, Tim Thompson was a keen surfer and, along with several others on Father’s Day, was enjoying the popular break at Shelly Beach when the attack happened around 10.30am.

He married wife Katie in March this year and the couple’s first child is due in January.

Tributes have been flowing with locals describing him as incredibly caring and positive.

Tim and Katie Thompson were recently married.

Work colleague Judie Pell said he was one of the most amazing, passionate, caring and positive people she has ever had the privilege to know.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family and in recent hours, Woolgoolga Real Estate agent Nicole Cardow donated $1,000.

Fellow surfers in shock rally around each other

An Emerald Beach man who was in the water when another surfer was fatally bitten by a shark on Sunday says he is reeling after the traumatic incident.

Real estate agent Dave Tompkins said he had been surfing for almost 50 years – 20 of those at his local breaks.

He said he had been in the water at Shelly Beach for more than an hour with the man before the attack happened about 10.30am.

The man, who died after having his arm completely torn off in the shark attack, is believed to be from Woolgoolga.

David Tompkins was in the water at the time of the attack.

Mr Tompkins said there were several surfers in the water making the most of the clean, rolling sets.

He heard the screaming and saw that the man’s arm was totally severed just below the shoulder.

Other surfers bravely helped him back to the sand and a nurse there at the time attempted to put a tourniquet on his upper arm.

“But he had stopped bleeding by then and had lost consciousness,” Mr Tompkins said.

Emergency service personnel tend to a man who did not survive being bitten by a shark at Shelly Beach near Emerald Beach, 15km North of Coffs Harbour. Picture: Frank Redward

Fellow surfer Jonathan Cassell said there was a deep sense of shock being felt in the small seaside village.

“Surfers risk the ultimate risk because we’re connected to the sea,” Mr Cassell said.

“Who can tell what will happen when you paddle out in a line up?

“Who can tell of the risks when dolphins are feeding, fish are schooling and it’s overcast.”

He paid tribute to those who were there on Sunday morning and who “looked into the eyes of a dying man and pushed down on his chest and made good on their social contract to care for each other when in trouble”.

In September 2019 young Emerald Beach surfer Matt Simon spoke of being stalked by a large shark at Shelly Beach.

It nosed his board and circled around coming back for a second nudge, then circled beneath him as he desperately tried to make his way to shallow water.

Mr Tompkins said he was still trying to cope with Sunday’s tragedy but said he would get back in the water.

“I’m all right, I just can’t stop thinking about it,” he said.

“You have to get back on the bike, I don’t want to give up surfing.”

He said he planned to meet with other people on Monday who were at the scene on Sunday to try to process what happened.