Briton Ian Redmond Killed by Shark: Wife 'Didn't Really Think There Would Be Sharks in the Seychelles'
Aug. 18, 2011— -- Widowed bride Gemma Houghton says that one of the reasons she and her husband Ian Redmond chose to honeymoon in the Seychelles was because they had been assured there were no dangerous animals in its deep, clear waters.
"We didn't really think that sharks would be in the Seychelles at all," Houghton told the BBC. "It wasn't something we were aware of."
Redmond, 30, was snorkeling in tranquil waters of Anse Lazio beach on the island of Praslin Tuesday when the shark attacked.
Houghton could see his bright orange snorkel gear from where she had been sunning on the beach when her husband began screaming for help, she said.
"All of the sudden, I heard 'Help!' and I thought at first he was sneezing," said Houghton.
"It was the most awful scream, and I can still hear it when I close my eyes," she said. "He's never screamed like that before because he's such a strong man, such a strong man, so brave."
Houghton said that her husband was conscious when he was brought to the shore by speedboat.
"He looked me in the eyes and said, 'Alright,'" she said. "I could see a mixture in his eyes of fear and a realization, a relief that he had seen me, that I was there. I think I told him I loved him very much. I hope I did."
Redmond died in a hospital shortly afterwards from blood loss.
New Widow Describes Husband Ian Redmond's Death by Shark Attack
Houghton told the BBC that that the despite the horrific accident, "the last thing I would want is for any of these events to affect the Seychelles people, their livelihoods and the tourism in the area. It's a beautiful place. People must come."
"It's a one-off accident and I know that everyone is doing everything they can to ensure that the islands are safe."
The couple, who had wed on Aug. 6, are one of thousands of couples who flock to the Indian Ocean islands from Europe annually. Newlyweds Prince William and Kate Middleton visited North Island in the Seychelles for their honeymoon earlier this year.
