A British swimmer has give way in the first fatal shark attack in Sydney , Australia since 1963 , official say . While reportedly training for a charity swimming in Little Bay beach , Simon Nellist , 35 , was attacked by a shark in H2O faithful to the shore , result in ruinous trauma that he sadly succumb to .
Nellist was reportedly a skilled dive instructor and lover of the sea , and was school for the Malabar Magic Ocean Swim , which has since been invalidate out of deference .
The attack at Little Bay has result residents stunned , being the first calamitous onrush to have go on in the area in 59 years and at a beach typically consider one of the safest in Sydney . There is now an investigating afoot as to how the incident pass , and official carry on to look for the remains of the man .
“ Based on footage offer by the public , admit eyewitness accounts , DPI shark biologist believe that a bloodless shark , at least three metres in length , was probably responsible , ” the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries ( DPI ) said in astatement .
“ We heard a yell and then turned around , it look like a car just landed in the water , a big splash then the shark , ” said Kris Linto , witness to the incident , in a program line to9 News .
" It was really regretful . "
Little Bay and surrounding beaches will all reopen Friday after a 24 - minute closure as there have been no further sightings .
Shark attacks are passing rarefied , particularly with new monitoring measures in place around Australia . Not including this fire , there have been three wanton shark attacks in Australia this class , all resulting in injuries but were non - fatal . There were two deaths due to sharks last twelvemonth in the country , imply you aremore likely to die from a cavalry , cowor kangaroo than you are a shark . However , that may be due to our extremely low picture to the sea vulture , and steps should be taken when swimming in area frequented by shark to minimize the risk .
According toSurfLifeSaving NSW , swimmers should always swim in patrolled placement between red and yellow flag , avoid swim in early and previous hours , deflect swim around river mouths and mirky water , and void swimming around schools of baitfish .
