The family of a 12-year-old boy mauled by a shark in Sydney Harbour has delivered a heartbreaking update, confirming he will never recover from his injuries. Nico Antic was attacked by a suspected bull shark while jumping off rocks with friends at Shark Beach on Sunday afternoon.
Devastating Prognosis After Catastrophic Attack
In a statement to the Daily Mail, Nico's sister Sophie revealed the grim reality facing their family. "He is still asleep, but will not be able to make it because his brain is completely unresponsive," she said. The young boy has remained in a coma since the catastrophic incident, with medical professionals unable to reverse the severe brain damage sustained during the attack.
Sophie described her brother as "a sporty kid who never fails to put a smile on people's faces" and emphasised how deeply he is "loved by many friends and family." The emotional toll on the Antic family has been immense as they face the unimaginable loss of their vibrant son and brother.
Emergency Response and Medical Efforts
First responders arrived at the scene within minutes of the attack on Sunday, with paramedics praising Nico's friends for their bravery in entering the water to pull him to safety. The 12-year-old was rushed to Sydney Children's Hospital in critical condition, where he underwent emergency surgery that same night.
Despite the best efforts of doctors and surgeons, both of Nico's legs sustained severe injuries during the mauling, and his neurological condition deteriorated rapidly. Medical teams worked tirelessly to stabilise the young patient, but the extent of his injuries proved insurmountable.
Community Support Through GoFundMe Campaign
Family friend Victor Piñeiro established a GoFundMe campaign to support the Antic family through this tragedy, providing a similarly bleak update on Tuesday. "Despite all efforts, this heartbreaking event has led to the worst possible outcome," he wrote alongside the fundraiser.
The campaign aims to help the family cover upcoming expenses and related arrangements during this incredibly difficult time. As of Tuesday afternoon local time, approximately 1,700 people had donated, raising just over AUD$122,000 (approximately £61,000) to support the grieving family.
Spate of Shark Attacks Across New South Wales
Nico's attack marked the beginning of a concerning series of shark incidents across New South Wales in recent days. Swimming spots on the state's northern beaches were closed for 48 hours after a 39-year-old man became the fourth person mauled since Sunday.
On Monday, a 27-year-old man suffered critical, life-changing injuries after being bitten at North Steyne Beach in Manly, remaining in critical condition following surgery. Another surfer escaped without injury the same day when a shark took a chunk out of his surfboard at Dee Why Beach.
Expert Warnings About Current Conditions
Shark experts have identified specific environmental factors contributing to increased bull shark activity in New South Wales waters. Warm ocean temperatures combined with dirty water from recent storms have created perfect conditions for these predators.
Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce warned the public via the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: "Anytime after a big weather event there's always going to be a lot of run-off and outflow of creeks into the ocean and river mouths. We really strongly advocate that nobody swim or surf near river mouths because it's obviously an area where sharks congregate."
Pearce added more direct advice given the current situation: "We have such poor water quality that's conducive to bull shark activity... just go to a local pool, because at this stage, we're advising that the beaches are unsafe."
The tragic case of Nico Antic serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers present in Australian waters, particularly during periods of environmental change that attract shark populations closer to popular swimming areas.
