A peaceful summer afternoon at a popular swimming spot in Sydney Harbour turned into a nightmare when a 12-year-old boy was attacked by a shark, leaving a community in shock and a family confronting an unimaginable ordeal. What started as an ordinary swim with friends has now become one of the most harrowing shark incidents the city has witnessed in years.
The boy, identified as Nico Antic, was swimming near a rock-jumping area close to Shark Beach when the attack occurred. Authorities believe the shark involved was a bull shark, known for its strength, aggression, and ability to thrive in shallow coastal and harbour waters.
Witnesses described panic and chaos as Nico was bitten. One of his friends immediately jumped back into the water to reach him, while two others worked together to drag his injured body onto a nearby rock platform. By the time they got him out of the water, Nico had already lost consciousness.
Emergency services were contacted almost immediately. Police marine officers reached the scene and transferred Nico onto a vessel, where officers and paramedics began life-saving measures. CPR was performed, and tourniquets were applied to his legs, which had sustained severe injuries. The speed and effectiveness of the response likely saved valuable time, but the gravity of the attack was immediately evident.
Nico was rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital, where medical teams worked urgently to stabilize him. Doctors placed him into an induced coma and carried out emergency surgery. He required multiple blood transfusions both before and after arriving at the hospital, highlighting the extent of his injuries.
The boy, a junior lifesaver or “Nipper” with the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, was well known in the surf lifesaving community. Fellow members and instructors described him as confident in the water, passionate about beach safety, and active, making this incident even more heartbreaking.
As news of the attack spread, a fundraiser was launched by close family friend Victor Piñeiro to support Nico’s parents through what was described as an unimaginable crisis. In an update shared on the fundraising page, Piñeiro noted that despite intensive medical efforts, the situation had taken a tragic turn.
He shared that the injuries from the attack resulted in the “worst possible outcome,” a phrase that immediately sparked widespread concern and grief. The message also highlighted the family’s heartbreak and the financial burden they now face, including medical bills and related arrangements. Donations began to pour in rapidly, raising around $65,000 in a short period.
Despite the somber update, reports about Nico’s condition have been inconsistent. Nine News reported that he was on life support, while the Sydney Morning Herald cited sources stating he was still alive but in critical condition. These conflicting reports have only deepened the anxiety felt by those following the case.
The attack didn’t occur in isolation. It happened amid a string of shark encounters along Sydney’s coastline that have raised serious concerns about marine safety. Just a few kilometers from where Nico was attacked, an 11-year-old boy narrowly escaped serious injury when a large shark bit his surfboard, ripping a significant piece from it and throwing him into the water. His father, who was nearby, managed to get him out of harm’s way.
Fragments of the damaged surfboard were later sent to NSW Fisheries for analysis to help identify the species involved. Authorities believe a bull shark was also responsible for that attack.
Later that same day, another attack occurred at Manly Beach, where a man in his twenties was bitten while swimming. He was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital in critical condition. The shark species involved in that incident is still unconfirmed, though witnesses reported seeing a bull shark approximately 1.5 meters long in the water.
Steven Pearce, the chief executive of Surf Life Saving New South Wales, described the close call involving the 11-year-old surfer as incredibly fortunate. He emphasized that the boy’s father likely prevented a far worse outcome, calling the situation terrifying and underscoring how quickly such encounters can escalate.
In response to these attacks, authorities have closed all Northern Beaches until further notice. Patrols have been increased, and investigations are underway to track shark movements and identify potential environmental factors contributing to the heightened activity. Experts highlight that bull sharks are particularly dangerous in harbour environments due to their adaptability and territorial behavior.
The incidents have reignited public debates about water safety, shark monitoring, and the risks associated with swimming in natural, yet popular, marine environments. For many families, the attacks have shattered a sense of safety in places once thought secure for children and recreational swimmers.
As Sydney processes the shock, attention remains focused on Nico and his family. Messages of support have flooded social media, surf clubs, and community groups, with many expressing disbelief that a child could suffer such injuries in a familiar harbour setting.
The unfolding tragedy has left the entire city holding its breath. While investigations continue and beaches remain closed, the focus is on a young boy fighting for his life and a family confronting the darkest of moments—an event that has altered their lives and the community around them forever.