HTTP/1.1 200 OKServer: nginxContent-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8X-Powered-By: WordPress VIP Host-Header: a9130478a60e5f9135f765b23f26593bX-Content-Type-Options: nosniffX-XSS-Protection: 1x-rq: syd1 123 243 443Cache-Control: must-revalidate, max-age=300Expires: Tue, 22 Oct 2024 01:42:36 GMTDate: Tue, 22 Oct 2024 01:37:36 GMTTransfer-Encoding:  chunkedConnection: keep-aliveConnection: Transfer-EncodingSet-Cookie: nk=d4fd537ff29480321d64cc0d8815e26d; expires=Wed, 22-Oct-2025 01:37:36 GMT; domain=.dailytelegraph.com.au; secure; SameSite=NoneStrict-Transport-Security: max-age=31536000 ; includeSubDomainsContent-Security-Policy-Report-Only: frame-ancestors 'self'; report-uri https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/csp-reportsContent-Security-Policy: block-all-mixed-content; style-src https: 'unsafe-inline'; script-src https: blob: 'unsafe-inline' 'unsafe-eval'; img-src https: data:; frame-src https:;BlaizeHappened: trueX-ARRRG5: /blaize/decision-engine?path=https%3a%2f%2fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2fweb-stories%2ffree%2fdaily-telegraph%2fwhen-was-sydneys-last-shark-attack-actor-mauled-to-death-in-1963%3fnk%3dd4fd537ff29480321d64cc0d8815e26d-1711775422&blaizehost=v4-news-au-dailytelegraph.cdn.zephr.com&content_id=&session=d4fd537ff29480321d64cc0d8815e26dX-ARRRG4: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/X-PathQS: TRUEVary: User-Agent
Words & Producer: Louise Starkey
Shark attack that shocked a nation: Actress mauled to death in 1963
In partnership with
The latest fatal shark attack at Buchan Point, between Little Bay and Malabar beaches, was Sydney's first in almost 60 years.
Until then, Sydney actress Marcia Hathaway was the last person to be killed by a shark in the city in 1963, while standing in water no deeper than 75cm.
The 32-year-old, of Milsons Point, was only about six metres from the shore in Sugarloaf Bay when the incident occured. She had been on a picnic and boating with friends, and initially believed she had been attacked by an octopus.
Picture: Wikiwand
We waded into the water until we were knee deep. Marcia wasn't very far from the beach and I had moved in to take off a pair of sandshoes I was wearing. We had been in the water for about five minutes and I was about 12 to 15 feet away from Marcia with my back to her. And then I heard her call out 'I think an octopus has got me.'
Frederick Knight
“”
Ms Hathaway's fiancé
Credit: Sydney Morning Herald
As published in The Sydney Morning Herald the following day, Ms Hathaway's fiancé, Frederick Knight, ran towards her and "fought the shark with his hands and kicked it as it twisted in the blood-stained water, trying to drag its victim into deep water".
When I reached Marcia, it struck again and seized her on the thigh. I started to kick the shark and beat it with my fists, most of the struggle is a blank but I remember at one time the shark was between my legs and I seemed to be straddling it.
Frederick Knight
“”
Ms Hathaway's fiancé
Credit: Sydney Morning Herald
She died 20 minutes later from shock and injuries, with the shark almost tearing off her right leg. Her last words were published in The Courier Mail on January 29, under the headline Actress Dies: Fiancé Fights with a Shark.
Don't worry about me, dear. God will look after me.
Marcia Hathaway
“”
Shark attack victim
Picture: Willoughby Living
Credit: Courier Mail
On February 16, 2022, diving instructor Simon Nellist was grabbed by what is believed to be a 4.5m great white while training for the Malabar Ocean Swim in the city's east about 4.30pm.
The 35-year-old died at the scene, suffering "catastrophic injuries". His remains were found by rescuers shortly after.
Mr Nellist, a British expat, was an experienced swimmer, engaged to be married and will be remembered by friends as an ocean lover.
In partnership with
																											

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/web-stories/free/daily-telegraph/when-was-sydneys-last-shark-attack-actor-mauled-to-death-in-1963