A 12-year-old boy, Nico Antic, tragically passed away at a hospital in Sydney after being attacked by a shark in the eastern part of the city on January 18. The incident left him with severe leg injuries, and despite being rushed to Sydney’s Children Hospital immediately after the attack, he could not survive. Nearly a week later, Nico’s parents, Lorena and Juan, shared their deep sorrow over their son’s death.
In a heartfelt statement, the family described Nico as a cheerful, sociable, and athletic young boy with a remarkably kind and generous nature. They expressed gratitude towards the first responders and the medical teams at Sydney Children’s Hospital for their efforts in caring for Nico, as well as the community for their support and comforting messages. The family requested privacy during this challenging period.
Nico was at Nielson Beach, also known as Shark Beach, with friends when the shark, believed to be a bull shark, attacked him while they were jumping off rocks. The tragic incident was followed by four other shark attacks in the days following Nico’s hospitalization. Prompt action by first responders and the bravery of Nico’s friends who rescued him from the water were commended.
Earlier, Nico’s sister, Sophie, conveyed that Nico was unresponsive due to severe brain injuries sustained in the attack. She described him as a lively young man who brought joy to those around him and was cherished by many.
Addressing the increased shark activity in Sydney, Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce cautioned against swimming or surfing near river mouths, especially after heavy rainfall, as it attracts sharks due to the runoff from creeks. Pearce advised the public to avoid entering murky water and suggested using local pools as a safer alternative, citing concerns about the water quality promoting bull shark presence at beaches.
