Killed swimmer identified as 35-year-old British expat Simon Nellist

A swimmer who was fatally mauled by a shark off the coast of Sydney has been named as a 35-year-old British expat.

Simon Nellist was training for a charity ocean swim when he was attacked from below by the creature at Buchan Point, Malabar, about 16 km (10 miles) south of the city.

Mr. Nellist’s body suffered “catastrophic injuries,” authorities said.

He was said to have been an experienced sea swimmer and his friends said he “loved the water”.

It is believed Mr Nellist was a British expatriate living in the Wolli Creek area of ​​Sydney and was engaged.

The Malabar Magic Ocean Swim has since been canceled “out of respect” for Mr Nellist.

In a statement, the organizing committee said: “The organizing committee extends its thoughts and prayers to the family of the swimmer who was so tragically taken yesterday.

“Out of respect for the swimmer and his family, and after wide consultation with Randwick Council and experienced staff at Surf Life Saving, we believe it is appropriate to cancel the 2022 swim.”

Wednesday's incident was the first deadly shark attack in Australia's largest city since 1963.

NSW Police said in a statement: “Marine Area Command detectives are appealing for information as they continue to investigate a fatal shark attack in Little Bay yesterday.

“At around 4:35 p.m. on February 16, 2022, emergency services were called to the northern tip of Little Bay after reports that a swimmer had been attacked by a shark.

“Officers attached to Eastern Beaches Police Area Command, with assistance from MAC and Surf Life Saving NSW, attended the scene and located human remains in the water.

“Police encourage anyone who may have seen the man before or during the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000. Information is treated in strict confidence.”

Several Sydney beaches, including the iconic Bondi and Bronte, were temporarily closed as authorities search for the killer shark.

Beaches were allowed to reopen on Friday February 18.

Drum lines, used to bait sharks, have been set up near the site of the attack, off Little Bay beach, while drones have been deployed to see if the shark is still in the area.

“It’s been a complete shock to our community,” said Dylan Parker, mayor of Randwick council which includes Little Bay.

“Our coastline is our backyard and to experience a tragic death in such horrific circumstances is completely shocking.”

A spokesman for the NSW Department of Primary Industries said its biologists believed a white shark at least three meters (9.8 feet) in length was likely responsible for the attack.

Authorities ordered people to stay away from the sea as temperatures hovered around 30C (86F).

“A few crazy surfers still go out and take risks, but most of us notice and stay out of the water until the sharks are gone. It's a lot more dangerous to drive, to be sure honest fact,” Karen Romalis, a local resident, told Reuters. Press Agency.