​Channel 9 Pulls Jaws From TV Schedule Following Fatal Shark Attack

The iconic 1975 Steven Spielberg film, Jaws, was due to screen on the Nine Network's digital multi-channel 9Go last night, however was scrapped in light of the recent tragedy in Sydney.

A swimmer - since identified as 35-year-old Simon Nellist - was killed on Wednesday in a shark encounter off Buchan Point, near Little Bay, in Sydney's east.

A huge section of Sydney's beaches was then closed for 24 hours, and the state's Premier, Dominic Perrottet, extended his thoughts and prayers to the victim's family.

The news has dominated headlines in Sydney for days, forcing 9Go to pull the show from last night's schedule.

Instead, the channel screened 2002 action film xXx at 7:30pm.

Jaws tells the fictional story of a blood-thirsty killer shark which goes on a rampage, terrifying and shattering a beach community in the US.

It is based on the 1974 novel by American writer Peter Benchley.

In the case of the real-life Sydney incident, Fisherman Kris Linto told Nine News he saw a 4.5 metre great white shark attack the swimmer.

Shark Attack Sign Little Bay

"The shark came and attacked them vertically," he said.

"We heard a yell and then turned around. [The splash] looked like a car just landed in the water."

Paramedics noted there was little they could do once on the scene, and it became a recovery operation rather than a rescue.

The Mayor of Randwick - of which Little Bay is a part - Dylan Parker said the community was in shock.

"The coast is our community's backyard," Mr Parker said.

"Little Bay is normally such a calm, beautiful place enjoyed by families.

"To lose someone to a shark attack like this is chilling. We are all in shock.

"Our entire community's hearts go out to the family of the victim."

Police are now liaising with the Department of Primary Industry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the swimmer, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Topics: News, TV & Film, shark attack, Australia