A 12-year-old boy from Australia tragically died following a severe shark attack in Sydney Harbour, his family confirmed on Saturday.
Nico Antic had been fighting for his life since January 18, when he was attacked while swimming at a well-known cliff jumping site, Jump Rock, located near Shark Beach in Vaucluse, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
His family shared the devastating news on Saturday.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of our son Nico,” stated Nico’s parents, Lorena and Juan. “He was a happy, friendly, sporty boy with a very kind and generous spirit. Always full of life, and that’s how we will remember him.”
They expressed gratitude toward the first responders and medical personnel at Sydney Children’s Hospital, along with the support from local residents.
A GoFundMe page initiated by a family friend has already collected over $266,000 as of Saturday night.
Police reported that the attack happened around 4:20 PM on January 18 after Nico jumped from a 6-meter ledge into the water.
The boy sustained severe injuries to both legs, believed to have been inflicted by a large shark.
His friends promptly jumped in to rescue him, bringing him back to shore and calling for assistance. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Local reports indicated that he had lost both legs during the attack.
This incident highlights a concerning rise in shark-related events in Australia, with many beaches closed recently due to four attacks occurring within just a few days.
On average, Australia sees around 20 shark attacks each year, with fewer than three resulting in fatalities.
