Sydney Family Confronts Heartbreak as 12-Year-Old Shark Victim Battles for Survival
The family of a 12-year-old boy attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbour is enduring an agonising wait, bracing for what a close friend describes as "the worst possible outcome." Nico Antic, a member of the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, has been fighting for his life in hospital since the incident on Sunday, 18th January.
Devastating Injuries and Critical Condition
Nico was swimming with friends near Shark Beach at Nielsen Park in Vaucluse, in Sydney's east, when he was bitten on both legs by what is believed to be a bull shark. The attack occurred outside a shark net enclosure, highlighting the unpredictable nature of marine hazards. Victor Piñeiro, a close friend of the Antic family, set up a GoFundMe page, revealing that the boy sustained "devastating injuries" and has been in a critical condition at Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick since his admission.
As of Wednesday morning, Nico remained under hospital care, with no update provided on his condition. The emotional toll on the family is immense, compounded by the uncertainty of his prognosis.
Heroic Rescue Efforts and Community Support
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Nico's friends demonstrated remarkable bravery, with at least one jumping into the water to pull him to safety. Emergency services responded swiftly, with a police speedboat reaching the scene within minutes. Officers applied a double tourniquet to both legs and administered CPR, actions described by Supt Joe McNulty of NSW Police's Marine Area Command as "a textbook recovery to give this boy a fighting chance for survival."
Nico was unconscious when first reached and required intubation to assist with breathing before being transferred to ambulance crews at Rose Bay. The community has rallied in support, with the GoFundMe campaign raising over $100,000 by late Wednesday morning. Tributes poured in, including a heartfelt message from Kate Barley, mother of Khai Cowley, a 15-year-old killed by a shark in 2023, who expressed solidarity with the Antic family during this "unbearable" time.
Wider Impact and Safety Concerns
This tragic event has sent shockwaves through New South Wales, leading to a series of beach closures and heightened safety alerts. In the days following Nico's attack, three more shark incidents were reported, including an 11-year-old whose surfboard was bitten at Dee Why and a 27-year-old man bitten while surfing in Manly. Authorities attribute these occurrences to intense weekend rainfall, which flushed dirty water onto the coast, potentially attracting sharks.
Nearly 30 Sydney beaches were closed in response, with swimming events cancelled and even experienced surfers expressing fear about returning to the water. Steven Pearce, Chief Executive of Surf Life Saving NSW, urged the public to avoid unsafe beaches and consider alternatives like local pools, emphasising the need for caution in light of recent events.
Nico, recognised as the most improved in the under-11 boys' category at his surf club in 2024, is remembered as a vibrant young participant in the nippers program. As his family grapples with the financial and emotional burdens, the broader community continues to hold them in their thoughts, hoping for a miracle amidst the grim outlook.
