Farewell, dear friend Simon Cooper

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On the 14th September 2019 I went diving at Shark Point with five of my regular diving buddies.

What started out as a normal day and what could have been a beautiful dive soon changed into a tragic event. As soon as Simon hit the water he seemed panicked and short of breath. We gathered to his side immediately and tried to help him. We thought it was a panic attack but within a few minutes it escalated to a full on resuscitation effort and rescue attempt out at sea, where ultimately Simon lost his life.

The people who helped us that day were lifesavers and a beautiful couple out on their boat. We will be eternally grateful for their assistance and support that day. The strangers that risked everything to try and help us and Simon were called Murray, Carl, Tanya, Joel and Will. They were absolute heroes that day, along with my dive team Sean, Thierry, Im and Adam. However, despite our best efforts Simon slipped away in front of us.

The reasons why Simon struggled to breathe that day, and why he died with us, will remain a mystery. As I struggle through the grief and trauma of the day I take comfort that one of my best friends died without pain, surrounded by people that loved him and were comforting him, in a place he loved, doing what he loved.

Simon, you are an absolute legend, we love you and will never forget you.

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