Mate reveals tragic details about Sydney shark victim Simon Nellist

A devastated mate of shark attack victim Simon Nellist has revealed why the 35-year-old never got to marry the “girl of his dreams” before his death.

A devastated mate of shark attack victim Simon Nellist has revealed the 35-year-old’s wedding to the “girl of his dreams” had been delayed due to Covid before he was killed.

The swimmer was mauled to death by a great white shark as he trained for a charity ocean swim, ahead of his planned wedding to Jessie Ho, The Sun reports.

He was just 150m away from the beach at Buchan Point, near Little Bay in Sydney, when the predator struck in the first fatal attack in the area nearly 60 years.

The British expat’s remains were found in the water on Wednesday afternoon following the horror ordeal.

The tragedy happened as the former Royal Air Force (RAF) serviceman was due to marry “girl of his dreams”.

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The swimmer was mauled to death by a great white shark as he trained for a charity ocean swim, ahead of his planned wedding to Jessie Ho

A close friend of Simon told The Sun: “Him and Jessie were due to get married last year but that got put off because of Covid.

“It’s just horrendous. We spent most of yesterday just hoping and praying it wasn’t him. It’s still incredibly raw.”

“Simon was amazing. That’s all there is to say really. He was just the best.

“He was the nicest, kindest human. It is a huge loss.”

“In the last couple of years we haven’t been able to see him because of the Covid situation.”

The friend revealed Simon “fell in love” with Australia after going travelling around six years ago, following two years in the RAF.

Simon Nellist and his partner.

The attack has left his friends devastated.

Experienced swimmer Simon “really knew the water”, they explained.

“He was massively into wildlife and knew exactly what he was doing. He wasn’t daft. It’s just a freak accident.

“Simon was doing his diving and he would send us the most amazing videos of the wildlife out there. He was so respectful of the wildlife.

“He finished in the RAF about six years ago and he went travelling and then just fell in love with it out there. Then he fell in love with Jessie.

“I know he did some pretty big tours with the RAF.”

Simon grew up in Penzance, in England’s southwest

He was just 35 years old.

Simon grew up in Penzance, in england’s southwest, but hasn’t been back for a few years, said the friend.

“His family are still here and they haven’t seen him in a few years. It’s too sad.”

Witnesses said they heard the victim yell out for help in desperation as the shark pounced just after 4.30pm on Wednesday

The great white allegedly “attacked vertically” before dragging the man’s body out of the ocean.

Expert Lawrence Chlebeck said that the ferocious shark probably mistook the swimmer – reportedly wearing a wetsuit – for a seal when it launched and attacked Mr Nellist.

Mr Nellist was a British expat about to be married. Picture: Facebook

The 35-year-old was a regular swimmer in the bay where the frenzy occurred, according to local MP Michael Daley.

One of the swimmer’s heartbroken friends, Della Ross, told Seven News: “Everything that is connected to Simon is connected to the ocean.

“The news hit us like a truck because he was one of the people who make this earth lighter.

“He loved the water, he loved diving.”

This story appeared in The Sun and has been reproduced with permission.