"Proud Cornishman": Family pay tribute after fatal shark attack in Australia
Simon Nellist was killed in Australia and it is believed he was training for a charity swim
Last updated 21st Feb 2022
The family of a British expat swimmer killed by a white shark in Australia have paid tribute to him.
It is believed Simon Nellist, who grew up in a village near Penzance, was training for a charity swim when he was fatally attacked in Sydney’s Little Bay last week.
Now his family have released a tribute, describing him a “wonderful human being” and “very talented photographer”.
“Simon was a gentle, kind and wonderful human being. He was a cherished fiancée, son, brother, uncle and friend", they told the BBC.
“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".
Mr Nellist’s family said he was a “proud Cornishman” who had made Australia his home with his fiancée Jessie.
They said: “Simon had a great passion for nature and the sea, as well as being a very talented photographer".
Friends described Mr Nellist, an experienced diving instructor who was engaged to be married, as someone who "loved the water".
Della Ross, a friend of Mr Nellist, told broadcaster 7News: "Everything that is connected to Simon, to me is connected to the ocean.
"The news hit us like a truck because he is really one of the people that makes this Earth better".
A neighbour living in the Wolli Creek area of Sydney described Mr Nellist as "such a nice guy".
Emergency services were called to Little Bay at around 4.35pm local time on Wednesday after reports that a swimmer had been attacked by a shark.
The incident, believed to be the first fatal shark attack in Sydney since 1963, prompted the immediate closure of more than a dozen beaches in the area until Friday.
It is believed Mr Nellist was training for the 5k Malabar Ocean Swim, due to take place at the weekend, when he was killed.
Organisers said the event was cancelled as a mark of respect.