A 12-year-old boy is fighting for his life in hospital after a horrific shark attack in Sydney Harbour, saved only by the quick-thinking bravery of a young friend.
Heroic Rescue Amidst the Panic
The incident occurred at approximately 4.20pm on Sunday at Nielsen Park in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The victim was jumping into the water from a six-metre rock ledge with five friends when he was mauled by what authorities suspect was a bull shark.
Both of the boy's legs sustained severe injuries. In a moment of immense courage, one of his mates leapt into the water and dragged the injured boy onto a rock platform while the shark remained nearby.
The victim was later airlifted to Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick, where he remains in a critical condition after undergoing surgery.
‘Perfect Storm’ for a Predator
New South Wales Police stated that heavy weekend rainfall created ‘brackish’ water conditions in the harbour—a mix of fresh and salt water known to attract bull sharks. The splashing from the children jumping likely compounded the risk.
Marine Area Commander Superintendent Joe McNulty confirmed the circumstances. "The water yesterday was extremely brackish due to the heavy rain Sydney has experienced over the weekend," he said. "They were jumping into muddy water, and we believe a shark was in the vicinity."
He credited the friend's rescue attempt and a rapid police response with preventing catastrophic blood loss. Police arrived within five minutes and officers applied tourniquets to the boy's legs at the scene.
Community in Shock and Trauma
The hero boy's grandmother took to social media on Monday to praise her grandson. "I'm so proud of his bravery," she wrote, adding that she was praying for the victim's recovery. She revealed the entire group of friends had been left ‘traumatised by the event’.
Local cafes and beaches felt the impact on Monday. Gene Arkoudis, manager of The Nielsen cafe overlooking the bay, noted that regulars were staying away "out of respect". Shark Beach, both inside and outside its netted area, was largely deserted despite warm school holiday weather.
Shark expert Dr Daryll McPhee from Bond University called the attack incredibly unlucky, noting there have been only about four bull shark attacks in Sydney Harbour in the past 50 years. The most recent prior incident was in January 2024, when a woman was bitten at Elizabeth Bay.
In a separate incident on Monday morning, an 11-year-old surfer escaped unharmed after a shark bit his board at Dee Why Point on Sydney's northern beaches.
