April 8, 2008 - 5:05PM The sister of a boy killed in a shark attack in northern NSW says her family is devastated at the loss of "their baby".
Peter Edmonds, 16, was fatally attacked by a large shark while bodyboarding at Ballina's Lighthouse Beach in northern NSW this morning.
The boy, from Wollongbar, west of Ballina, died after being bitten twice on the left leg about 8am.
His 20-year-old sister Kylie Edmonds said the family is finding it hard to cope with the sudden loss.
"I'm numb. I don't know what to do," she said.
"They (her parents) are not coping very well. They lost their baby - what more can you say? The only boy in the family."
"And he was such a good kid.''
Ms Edmonds said her brother was "the best brother you could ask for''.
"He was fun, he was loving, he just wanted to cuddle people,'' she said.
"He was a really friendly guy. He just did everything for everybody. He just wanted to hang out with his mates and surf and have a good time.''
Peter's bodyboarding companion, Brock Curtis, helped his friend back to shore following the shark attack.
Brock said he saw a "big, grey shadow'' pass by him as he paddled toward his stricken friend but was not afraid as he did not know what it was.
"In the water I was in line with him (Peter) and noticed that he was in a bit of trouble,'' he said.
"As I headed towards him it looked like he was catching a wave and was heading back to shore.
"Then I saw him on his back with his head above the water so then he turned so he was face down.
"I thought he was only joking, so I went over to him and as I flipped him over I saw his leg.''
Brock said he tried in vain to resuscitate Peter after dragging him to shore.
"He didn't make one noise,'' he said.
Brock said the pair had been close friends for five years, since the start of high school, and described Peter as the "best guy''.
Ms Edmonds said her brother had been surfing for years but had never had any problems in the water before.
Another sister, 19, was in England on a five-month holiday and was trying to get a flight home, she said.
AAP