A 12-year-old boy who was attacked by a shark in Sydney has tragically passed away in the hospital. Nico Antic was bitten by a shark in the eastern part of Sydney on January 18.
Nico sustained severe leg injuries during the attack and was swiftly taken to Sydney’s Children Hospital, where he had been receiving medical care. Nearly a week after the incident, Nico’s parents, Lorena and Juan, shared the heartbreaking news of their son’s death, expressing their profound sorrow.
In a statement issued by the family, they described Nico as a cheerful, sociable, and athletic young boy with a remarkably kind and generous nature. They expressed gratitude towards the first responders and the medical teams at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, for their dedicated care towards Nico. The family also thanked the community for their support and comforting messages during this trying time.
Nico was at Nielson Beach, commonly known as Shark Beach, with friends when a suspected bull shark attacked him while they were jumping off rocks at the beach’s end. Following the incident, first responders arrived promptly, and Nico’s friends were hailed for their bravery as they rescued him from the water.
Subsequent to Nico’s hospitalization, there were four other shark attacks reported in the area. Sophie, Nico’s sister, conveyed that Nico was unresponsive due to severe brain injury, describing him as a beloved and jovial individual cherished by many.
Regarding the heightened shark activity in Sydney, Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce cautioned against swimming or surfing near river mouths after heavy weather events, as it leads to increased shark presence due to runoff and creek outflow. Pearce advised opting for local pools over beaches due to water quality issues conducive to bull shark activity, emphasizing the current beach unsafety status.