Nico Antic, 12, dies in hospital after being attacked by a shark in Sydney | Sydney
A 12-year-old boy died in hospital after being attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbor earlier this week, his family has confirmed.
The boy, named Nico Antic in an online fundraiser, was fighting for his life after being bitten on both legs at a harbor beach in Vaucluse, east of Sydney, on January 18.
In a statement on Saturday, his parents, Lorena and Juan, confirmed that the boy died from his injuries.
“We are saddened to share that our son Nico has passed away,” they said.
“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.”
“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.”
Antic had been in critical condition since arriving at Sydney Randwick children’s hospital on January 18.
GoFundMe had raised nearly $240,000 for Nico’s family as of Saturday afternoon and hosted tributes, including from Kate Barley, the mother of 15-year-old Khai Cowley, who was killed by a shark in 2023.
Barley commented: “From one mother to another, my heart holds you so tight.”
“I lost my beautiful son, Khai, to a shark attack in South Australia – he was only 15 – and I know how excruciating that wait and fear can be. Your precious son is in our thoughts and prayers, and your family is surrounded by deep love and strength right now.”
The incident was the first of four shark bites in 48 hours off the New South Wales coast.
An 11-year-old boy was bitten off his surfboard in Dee Why on Monday and a 27-year-old man was bitten while surfing in Manly.
A 39-year-old man was bitten on Tuesday morning at Point Plomer on the state’s mid-north coast, about five hours north of Sydney.
Experts stated that this increase in activities was attributed to heavy rainfall, which caused dirty water to flow onto the coasts and beaches.
More details coming soon…
