The family of 12-year-old Nico Antic has delivered a heartbreaking update after he was mauled by a suspected bull shark at Sydney’s Shark Beach in Sydney Harbour. The attack occurred on Sunday while Nico was with friends leaping from rocks at the far end of the beach.
Emergency services rushed to the scene within minutes, praising Nico’s friends for their bravery in rescuing him from the water. Nico was airlifted to Sydney Children’s Hospital in critical condition with severe injuries to both legs. He underwent emergency surgery that same evening.
Since the attack, Nico has remained in a coma, with his family revealing a grim prognosis. According to his sister Sophie, Nico’s brain is completely unresponsive, and doctors have expressed doubts about his chances of survival. Sophie described her brother as a lively, athletic boy loved by many.
In response to this tragedy, family friend Victor Piñeiro launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist the Antic family with medical and related expenses. Over 1,700 supporters have contributed, raising more than AUD $122,000 by Tuesday afternoon.
Nico’s attack is the first in a series of shark incidents along Australia’s New South Wales coast this week. Following multiple attacks, including a 27-year-old man critically injured at North Steyne Beach and a 39-year-old man attacked days later, authorities have closed several northern beaches to swimmers and surfers for 48 hours.
Experts warn that recent stormy weather has led to murky waters and warmer ocean temperatures, creating favorable conditions for bull sharks. Steve Pearce, CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW, urged the public to avoid swimming or surfing near river mouths where sharks are more likely to gather, emphasizing the dangerous water quality.
With beaches deemed unsafe, Pearce advises locals to choose pools over ocean swimming until conditions improve. The community continues to rally around the Antic family amid this terrifying wave of shark activity.