Nelson bridegroom killed by shark on honeymoon in Sychelles

Newly-married Ian Redmond (30) of Deerstone Road was attacked yesterday afternoon while snorkelling off Anse Lazio beach on the island of Praslin.

His bride, Gemma Houghton (27), had been sunbathing on the beach when the freak accident occurred at 4-30 p.m..

The former Fisher More pupil who was also a keen bike enthusiast had embarked on the journey to the idyllic Indian Ocean island on Monday, August 8th.

He had married just days before.

Mr Redmond’s cries were heard by other holidaymakers and one allegedly dragged him on board a dinghy and brought him ashore before onlookers tried to save him.

He was rushed to hospital by helicopter but was pronounced dead. He had suffered injuries to his leg and arm.

Mr Redmond’s parents, Stephen and Corinne, and those of his wife, David and Coleta from Dalton, have flown out to the resort.

Police spokesman Jean Toussaint said the attack happened shortly before 5 p.m. local time while Mr Redmond was swimming.

He said: “We discovered the British citizen was badly injured on the hips and the arms. He was assisted medically but unfortunately he could not make it. We haven’t got the autopsy report yet but he definitely lost a lot of blood.”

He said Mr Redmond lost an arm in the attack and was taken to hospital but could not be saved.

“He had no chance of surviving because of the nature of the injuries,” he added.

This is the second fatal incident in two weeks, less than a fortnight ago a French diver was also killed.

An emergency meeting has been held on the island and a temporary ban on swimming and entering the water at all surrounding beaches has been put in place.