Chilling theory why shark attack victim Simon Nellist was targeted by great white in horror mauling

A CHILLING theory suggests that the shark that killed Brit swimmer Simon Nellist mistook him for a seal because of his wetsuit.

The horrific mauling happened earlier this week while the Brit was swimming at Buchan Point, near Little Bay in Sydney.



The 35-year-old was training for a charity ocean swim when he was attacked by the 15ft beast.

His tragic death was the first fatal attack in the area in nearly 60 years.

And now there is a new theory suggesting that Simon was in fact targeted by the predator due to his wetsuit.

Another swimmer who lives near the area named Barbara told the Daily Mail that she would see Simon often and they always greeted each other.

She said: "He always wore a wetsuit, but the water here is quite warm and no one else really wears one." 

Expert Lawrence Chlebeck had previously said that the beast probably mistook the swimmer for a seal when it launched and attacked the Brit.

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He told the outlet: "Great white sharks are obviously large predators that expend a lot of energy so they need a lot of high energy food and the blubber of a seal is perfect for that."

The diving instructor, who moved down under six years ago where he met the “girl of his dreams” Jessie Ho, was just 150m away from the beach when he was attacked.

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.

Meanwhile, his heartbroken relatives have said his mourning mum has been left wondering how her son survived Afghanistan on to be killed while swimming.

The swimmer's aunt Jacqui Seager from Maidstone, Kent, told the Daily Mail: "Simon always loved the sea. He was always very close to it. He loved wildlife and the world. 

"He had a real love affair with nature. He was a very kind and considerate man who just loved life.

"He was a strong guy and did two tours of Afghanistan. 

"His mum said how could he return from the frontline unscathed to then go to Australia, go out for a swim and get killed."

She had previously said her nature-loving nephew wouldn't have wanted the beast put down.

His aunt said she didn't think that Simon would have ever considered a shark could harm him and that he had a deep love of the ocean.

 The 62-year-old added: "I don't think Simon would want the shark to be killed. He loved nature. 



"He swam with sharks before. This isn't the first time he's gone out and seen them but he would still go out swimming. That's brave.

"I don't think he ever thought they would hurt him. Sadly, this time it managed to get to him.

"It's absolutely horrendous. We are all in shock."

Mum-of-three Mrs Seager also said Simon’s mum is “in bits” and the family are planning to fly out soon.

The heartbreak comes as Simon and Jessie were due to marry “in June or July” next year, his aunt said.

A pal of Simon’s 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 service in the RAF.

What we know so far….

  • Witnesses said they heard Simon yell out for help.
  • The 35-year-old was probably mistaken for a seal, one expert has said.
  • The experienced swimmer was training for a charity ocean swim.
  • Simon has lived in Australia for number of years and was due to marry his girlfriend.
  • He spoke out against shark protection measures and swam with the creatures

THE 'KINDEST HUMAN'

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

“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, Cornwall, but is understood not to have been back for a few years.

The friend said Simon's family are currently still in the UK, adding: "They haven’t seen him in a few years. It’s too sad.”

Simon loved the sea and called for a ban on shark nets and swam with the huge beasts before his death, tragic posts reveal.

The Brit had spoken out about nets and drum lines, used to keep sharks away from swimmers, saying they indiscriminately killed wildlife.

Drum lines are giant hooks suspended on buoys that are baited with fish.

“Shark nets and drum lines protect no one and kill all kinds of marine life every year,” wrote Simon on Facebook.

And video posted on a Facebook page for divers in Sydney, shows him swimming beside 10 sharks.



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