Thousands gather to honour shark attack victim Mercury Psillakis at Dee Why in Sydney
A grieving community on Sydney’s Northern Beaches has paid tribute to Mercury Psillakis at the same surf break where he was killed in a shark attack.
More than a thousand people paddled out at Dee Why on Saturday morning, honouring the local legend who died protecting fellow surfers.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Thousands of surfers honour shark attack victim
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.At Long Reef Beach, surfers made their way to the break where the 57-year-old father caught his last wave in a show of love and support from a community left with broken hearts.
Instead of flowers, as is tradition, they held palm fronds from a plant he loved during the moving tribute.
Psillakis was killed after warning fellow surfers to make their way out of the water as a 3.6 metre great white shark circled nearby earlier this month.
At the back of the pack, the predator grabbed him and killed him just a day before Father’s Day.
He suffered injuries so severe he could not be saved.
On Saturday, locals gathered at the water’s edge, healing by returning to the scene of his brave final act that saved the lives of others.
The beloved father leaves behind his wife Maria, teenage daughter Freedom and twin brother Mike.
Originally published on 7NEWS
