12-Year-Old Nico Antic Dies After Shark Attack in Sydney Harbour

The tragic news has been confirmed: 12-year-old Nico Antic has died in hospital following a severe shark attack in Sydney Harbour.

In a heartfelt statement released on Saturday, nearly a week after the incident, his parents Lorena and Juan shared their devastation:

"Nico was a happy, friendly, and sporty young boy with the most kind and generous spirit. He was always full of life and that's how we'll remember him."

They expressed deep gratitude to the first responders and the medical teams at Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick for their tireless care. The family also thanked the community for the overwhelming support and messages of kindness, while requesting privacy during this profoundly difficult time. They will not be making further comments.

The attack occurred around 4:20pm on Sunday, January 18, when Nico—a North Bondi surf lifesaving nipper—was jumping off a rock ledge along the Hermitage Foreshore Walk near Shark Beach at Vaucluse (close to Nielsen Park). Authorities believe a bull shark was responsible. Friends showed remarkable bravery by helping pull him from the water and providing initial aid until emergency services arrived, applied a tourniquet, and rushed him to hospital in critical condition with serious injuries to both legs.

The incident was the first in an alarming series of shark encounters along the NSW coast over the following 48 hours, including a severe attack on 27-year-old Andre de Ruyter at North Steyne Beach, who also suffered major leg injuries and was hospitalised in critical condition. Surf Life Saving NSW described the cluster as "unprecedented," leading to temporary beach closures on the Northern Beaches, heightened shark surveillance with extra drones, jetskis, helicopters, and patrols, and increased public warnings.

A shark sighting at Manly Beach on Saturday prompted a brief closure from 8:29am to 10:24am, while Garie Beach in the Royal National Park was evacuated after three sharks were spotted near swimmers.

Experts have linked the spike in activity to the recent heavy rainfall—Sydney's wettest day in nearly 40 years—which caused significant runoff from creeks and river mouths into the ocean, attracting baitfish and creating conditions that may have drawn sharks closer to shore. Marine Area Command described the splashing and water conditions at the time of the Vaucluse attack as a "perfect storm" environment.

Our thoughts are with Nico's family, friends, and all those affected by this heartbreaking loss.