Family remembers Nicho Muggleton, who drowned trying to save his surfer friend
Muggleton (right) and her friend Nicole Scown.
“Honestly, he wouldn’t have thought twice about jumping in to save his friend… If he hadn’t taken action, he wouldn’t have been able to live on his own.”
Harriet said her family had sent their condolences to the family of the British man who was still in the UK. “I hope they can find some solace in knowing that Nicho was with her, that they went together, and that they are together now.”
When Harriet and Nicho were young, their families lost contact for several years, but when they were initially reunited through social media, Harriet was overjoyed.
“We spent a lot of time together socially, going out for dinners and drinks, and felt like we hit the jackpot when we found a long-lost cousin who was a great fit with us,” he said.
Nicho said he always did his best to make sure his young female cousins arrived home safely.
Nicole Scown said her close friend was a loving man who brought light and joy to those around him.
“He made me laugh until I cried and my stomach hurt, and those moments will stay with me forever,” Scown said.
“He was intelligent, talented and endlessly creative, a gifted artist and writer with a mind that saw the world colorfully and deeply.
“Nicho was and always will be very special to me. I will always hold him close to my heart.”
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Cassie Yendall was a friend of Muggleton’s at school and she told him: Age The community was in shock over his death.
“He was a great person, he lived life to the fullest, he loved surfing and snowboarding and would do anything for anyone, which I think shows after he tried to save his wife,” Yendall said.
Last week Detective Inspector Melissa Nixon said the deaths of Muggleton and his friend were tragic and preventable.
“The weather conditions…were not conducive to wakeboarding, whether you were experienced or not.”
Also on Thursday, Life Saving Victoria executive advisor Paul Shannon said people needed to be aware of their water limitations even when attempting rescues.
“Risking your own life can turn one disaster into two or three,” he said.
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