A 42-year-old man who was fatally attacked by a stingray as he swam just a few metres from the shore died ‘doing what he loved’, according to friends and family.
Nicholas Ian Ricketts – known to friends and family as ‘Ned’ – was swimming on Lauderdale Beach, 13km east of Hobart, Tasmania on Saturday afternoon when a stingray barb pierced his abdomen.
Mr Ricketts had been swimming alone in the shallow water and tragically died following a cardiac arrest at around 3pm.
Nicholas Ian Ricketts (pictured), 42, was attacked and killed by a stingray as he swam alone in shallow water just a few metres from the shore in Tasmania
In a death notice in The Mercury, Mr Ricketts was described as a ‘loving son…and brother’.
‘Loved by all his family and a friend to many. Tragically taken doing what he loved. A true Aquarian. RIP Ned,’ the statement read.
Mr Ricketts lived metres from the beach and worked at the Foreshore Tavern in Lauderdale, where a celebration of his life will be held on Friday afternoon.
Those wishing to attend have been requested to ‘wear some red for Ned’.
Speaking to The Mercury, Mr Ricketts’ housemate said he wasn’t there when the incident happened, but he saw him afterwards and got to say goodbye.
Mr Ricketts had been swimming off Lauderdale Beach (pictured), 13km east of Hobart, Tasmania on Saturday afternoon when the stingray barb pierced his abdomen, causing a cardiac arrest
‘Loved by all his family and a friend to many. Tragically taken doing what he loved. A true Aquarian. RIP Ned,’ a death notice read
‘We saw each other every day. We were always chilling and chatting, going for walks on the beach and jumping in the water. We had so many common interests,’ he said.
‘He was never afraid of anything or anyone. I’ve never known anyone to be so high on life.’
Mr Ricketts held a wide range of different jobs during his lifetime, and one of his colleagues from the Foreshore Tavern said staff were feeling ‘numb and heavy-hearted’ at the loss.
‘There’s a lot of things around that remind us of him. He was a gentle giant who was very well loved,’ she said.
Lauderdale Yacht Club Commodore Sean Keady said the number of stringrays in the area typically increases as the weather warms up
After Mr Ricketts was attacked, friends dragged him onto the sand and attempted to resuscitate him, but were unsuccessful.
Lauderdale Yacht Club Commodore Sean Keady told The Mercury the number of stringrays in the area typically increases as the weather warms up.
‘At times I’ve noticed three to four stingrays grouped in shallow waters at Roches Beach,’ he said.
‘I remember thinking they aren’t something I would want to go near.’
Mayor Doug Chipman told ABC News at the time the council was seeking expert advice regarding public safety and would close the beach if it was needed.
‘It’s a dreadful accident, I’m actually shocked.’