A 12-year-old child who was the victim of a shark attack in Sydney has tragically passed away in the hospital. Nico Antic was attacked by a shark in the eastern part of Sydney on January 18th.
He sustained severe leg injuries after being bitten and was immediately taken to Sydney’s Children’s Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment since the attack occurred. Nearly a week later, his devastated parents, Lorena and Juan, shared the heartbreaking news of their son’s passing.
In a statement issued by the family, they described Nico as a cheerful, sociable, and athletic young boy with a remarkably kind and generous nature. He was always full of vitality, and that is how they will always remember him.
The family expressed their deep gratitude to the first responders and the medical teams at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, for their dedicated care of Nico. They also extended their thanks to the community for their support and kind words during this difficult time.
Nico was at Nielson beach, also known as Shark beach, with friends when the tragic incident took place. The boys were leaping off rocks at the beach’s end when the shark attack occurred.
Following Nico’s hospitalization, there have been four other shark attacks in the days that followed. Emergency responders arrived promptly at the scene after the incident, and the boy’s friends were hailed for their bravery as they entered the water to rescue Nico.
Earlier in the week, Nico’s sister, Sophie, shared that Nico was unresponsive and unlikely to recover due to severe brain damage. Sophie described him as a sporty child who always brought joy to those around him and was loved by many.
Regarding the increased shark activity in Sydney, Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce advised against swimming or surfing near river mouths after significant weather events, as they can attract sharks. Pearce emphasized the importance of beach safety due to potential risks associated with poor water quality that may attract bull sharks.
He further recommended opting for swimming in local pools as a safer alternative to beaches during this period of heightened shark activity.