Today I found out that my friend Simon Halstead has just died in Oman.
He was swept to his death in a flooded Wadi whilst trying to save someone else.
Simon and I worked together last winter as trekking guides in Oman. We met getting off the plane at the start of the season keen and green together.
We were roommates and colleges and went on to become friends and climbing partners back in the UK.
Simon was a top bloke, a joker and an entertainer. He could do back flips and 'play the spoons' using just his hands.
He loved to laugh, to drive, to drink, to live.
Simon embraced all the experiences that came his way, he lived life to the full. He snorkeled in the ocean, jumped into pools of water, climbed up cliffs, went down caves, drove 4x4's in the sand dunes, walked up mountains, partied hard and relaxed to the max too.
Most of all he was one of the good guys, a kind and fun young man.
Maybe it seems like an odd thing to say, but Si was the kind of bloke who if you had to go to war you'd want mates like him by your side. Cheering you up in the hard times and giving it their all when it counts.
It wasn't the first time he'd been in the position of attempting to save someone's life. His death is both tragic and heroic at the same time.
Like I say, a stand up geezer.
I know all people all over the world will be remembering Simon well.
We were lucky to share our lives with him.
Rest in peace my friend
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I'm Ketty from France (sorry for my bad english).I was in Oman with some friends in last november and Simon was our guide and driver.
ReplyDeletewe had a very good time with him, we enjoied the mountains, the wadis, the desert where we walked a few days with camels... and we are now so sad with his terrible news which I became 2 days later.If you want some pictures of Simon, just ask me : klandgre@club-internet.fr
Simon was too young to die, he liked the life so much....
We were a group of seven ladies looking for a trekking challenge in Oman. A very fit and lean Simon met us in Muscat, and not for one moment did he let on that our group was fairly far removed from his usual clients - the 20-30 year old somethings, as lean and fit as he was! Both he and Suleiman led us across the Hajar mountains with admirable tolerance and infinite patience and gave us greater challenges than we could ever have imagined. In the evenings he cooked for us, drank with us, smoked Sisha with us and entertained us with stories round the camp fire under the stars. We have the greatest admiration and respect for such a lovely man and it comes as no surprise to learn that he lost his life trying to help someone in trouble. When we left to return to England he paid us the best compliment: ‘ I’ve never laughed so much on a mountain than with you lot!’ Thank you Simon for the greatest trek ever. Always in our hearts and never to be forgotten. Take it easy!
ReplyDeleteBarbara Allen, Sarah Amey, Annie Boon, Jane Drewe, Judy Mallett, Isobel Miller and Debbie Richardson.
Muscat, February 8 / Oman / His Majesty the Sultan
ReplyDeleteSultan Qaboos bin Said / may God protect him / granting of the Order of Oman
Civil division of the third family of the deceased Simon Anthony
Halstead, a British citizen who lost his life in order to save
Omani citizen surrounded by water and Deer Valley and the state of Amrat
In recognition of his noble humanitarian cause.
Order was presented to the family of the deceased on behalf of His Excellency the King
Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, minister of the Diwan of Royal Court
Today the Office of His Excellency the presence of His Excellency Lieutenant-General Malik bin Sulaiman
Ma'amari Inspector General of Police and Customs and His Excellency Ambassador
Dr. Joseph Noel Djokian Ambassador of the United Kingdom adopted
To the Sultanate.
>>He was brave<<
Majid
Simon was one of my best friends when we were in our teens.We had got back in touch and that meant so very much to me. When he passed away I was very upset, it gave our conversations an additional meaning, I found out the details of what had happened in Oman through an acquaintance in London. I often remember Simon and will always be extremely proud of him. I love you! I`m so sorry that I couldn`t attend his funeral and hope that somewhere out there he knows why. I didn`t work for several months. Simon, my lovely, I`ll be telling people about you for all eternity! Bless you!
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