Nico Antic, the 12-year-old boy who suffered serious leg injuries after being bitten by a shark in Sydney’s east, has died in hospital.
In a statement issued on Saturday, almost a week since the tragedy, his parents Lorena and Juan said they were “heartbroken” to share the news of their son’s passing.
“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,”
it said.
“We would like to sincerely thank the first responders and the teams at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick for everything they did to care for Nico.
“We would also like to thank everyone in the community for their support and kind messages. We ask you please respect our privacy during this exceptionally difficult time.”
The family said they would not be providing further comment.
Signs at an entrance to a foreshore walk, which accesses the rock where Nico was jumping into the harbour on Sunday. (ABC News: Isobel Roe)
The 12-year-old was attacked by what authorities believe was a bull shark while jumping off a rock ledge along Hermitage Foreshore Walk near Shark Beach at Vaucluse about 4:20pm on Sunday.
The boy, a North Bondi surf lifesaving nipper, was taken to the Children’s Hospital at Randwick in a critical condition.
Friends were praised by police and Premier Chris Minns for their bravery in removing him from the water and caring for him before emergency services were able to apply a tourniquet and rush him to hospital.
There were three other shark attacks reported along the NSW coast in the 48 hours after the boy was bitten, including one at North Steyne Beach in the northern beaches that left Andre de Ruyter with severe leg injuries.
The 27-year-old was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition.
The rocks where Nico Antic was jumping from when he was bitten in the water by a shark. (ABC News: Isobel Roe)
Northern Beaches were closed after the spate of attacks, which were described as “unprecedented” by Surf Life Saving NSW, but have since reopened.
Shark surveillance along the NSW coast has been ramped up, which has included deploying extra drones and more warnings to the community.
Member for Vaucluse, Kellie Sloane, said the community was mourning the loss of a “life taken far too soon”.
She thanked the first responders and Nico’s friends for doing “everything they could to help their mate”.
“Like so many of our kids, Nico was enjoying the beach on a beautiful Sunday afternoon — doing what generations of local kids have done before him, having fun at Jump Rock,” Ms Sloane said in a statement.
“My thoughts remain with Nico’s loved ones, and with everyone who has been affected by this heartbreaking incident.”
A fundraising page set up by a friend of Nico’s family is very close to reaching its target of $250,000.
NSW Police said a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Shark sightings close beaches
Earlier on Saturday, a shark sighting at Manly Beach prompted its brief closure from 8:29am to 10:24am.
Further south, Garie Beach at the Royal National Park was evacuated and closed after three sharks were spotted.
Stephen Pearce from Surf Life Saving NSW said the sharks were near swimmers but people were safely evacuated.
Manly Beach closed briefly on Saturday morning after a shark sighting. (ABC News: Jack Ailwood)
Mr Pearce said all crews and resources were out and patrolling beaches this long weekend.
“They’re supported by our entire fleet of jetskis out in the water,” he said.
“We have two Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopters also in the air sweeping the beaches this weekend and every drone is up that we have as well.”
The attacks came after Sydney experienced its wettest day in almost 40 years last weekend.
Authorities have said the weather event likely contributed to the spate of attacks by causing lots of run-off and outflow of creeks into the ocean and river mouths that attracted animals for the sharks to feed off.
Marine Area Command commander Superintendent Joseph McNulty said at the time, the water conditions and splashing may have created the “perfect storm environment” for the attack at Vaucluse.
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