Vaucluse shark attack victim dies in hospital
A 12-year-old boy injured by a suspicious bull shark at Sydney Harbor beach in the city’s eastern suburbs has died in hospital, the first in a series of horrific shark attacks.
Nico Antic was attacked after jumping into the water west of Shark Beach at Nielsen Park in Vaucluse on Sunday afternoon.
One of his friends jumped into the water to help, while two others helped pull Nico to a nearby rock platform.
Nearby Naval Area Command police boats quickly advanced towards his location. While taking Nico to the Rose Bay ferry dock, police applied a tourniquet to his injured legs and performed CPR on the bow of the boat; Paramedics took him to Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.
Nico had surgery and fell into a coma.
Nico’s parents, Lorena and Juan, said in a statement on Saturday that they were “heartbroken” to share the news of their son’s death.
“Nico was a happy, friendly and sporty young boy with an extremely kind and generous spirit. He was always full of life and that’s how we will remember him,” they said.
“We would like to sincerely thank the first responders and teams at Randwick Sydney Children’s Hospital for everything they did to care for Nico. “We would also like to thank everyone in the community for their support and kind messages.
“We ask that you respect our privacy during this extraordinarily difficult time.”
The incident was the first in a series involving sharks around Sydney and NSW after heavy rain this week brought bull sharks closer to shore.
Nico tackled the North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club with his sister and father. He was awarded the club’s most improved Under-11 boys award in 2024.
Children attended the popular Vaucluse jumping rock on Wednesday to lay flowers in Nico’s memory, Nine News reported.
“He was a very smart kid,” said Sam, who knew Nico from their years playing rugby and football together.
Another friend, Nicho, said: “He was really happy, really super excited about everything. He had a good laugh.”
Rose Bay Secondary School advised parents and carers that the school was offering support to Nico’s family and students in the same class, including counseling sessions and appointments with the school psychologist.
Additional help will be available when schools reopen in February.
“In addition, the college recognizes the bravery shown by some of the young people who were at the scene in the immediate aftermath of the attack to save and care for Nico,” the school said.
“We have offered support to young people who are students at the college, along with their families, and ask that we all respect their privacy.”
Victor Piñeiro, described as a “close friend” of the Antic family, started an online fundraiser earlier in the week to help cover “upcoming expenses and related arrangements.”
“Despite all efforts, this heartbreaking incident led to the worst possible outcome,” Piñeiro wrote.
As of Thursday morning, more than 2,600 donations totaling more than $176,000 had been made to the fundraiser.
Donor Max Hirst was among those who shared words of support for the fundraiser.
“You were a truly happy and brave child until the end, and a truly wonderful friend,” Hirst wrote.
Sunday’s attack was the first of four attacks in Sydney and the Mid North Coast this week.
27-year-old musician Andre de Ruyter also He was taken to hospital after the attack Monday evening on Sydney’s northern beaches.
A bull shark bit his right leg while surfing at Manly’s North Steyne Beach, causing serious injuries and requiring the amputation of his lower leg.
Earlier on Monday, an 11-year-old boy was “very lucky” to escape injury after falling off his surfboard at Dee Why.
Paul Zvirzdinas, 39, took a bite out of his surfboard and wetsuit at Point Plomer beach on the state’s north-central coast on Tuesday.
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Jack Gramenz is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
