Nico Antic: Heartbreak as 12 year-old mauled in shark attack at Shark Beach, Vaucluse dies

A young boy mauled by a shark in the first of a series of four attacks in 48 hours in Sydney has tragically died.

Nico Antic was jumping off rocks with friends into the waters of Shark Beach in Vaucluse when he was attacked by what is believed to be a bull shark about 4.20pm on Sunday.

The 12-year-old received catastrophic injuries, with both his legs severely injured and causing enormous blood loss.

Nico’s parents Lorena and Juan, who have been by his bedside in Sydney Children’s Hospital, confirmed the tragic news of his passing on Saturday.

“We are heartbroken to share that our son, Nico, has passed away,” a written statement by the couple reads.

“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.

“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.”

A fundraiser set up on Tuesday by family friend Victor Piñeiro on GoFundMe to help Nico’s family has raised nearly $240,000 as of 2.30pm AEDST on Saturday.

Among those donating was Kate Barley, whose 15-year-old son Khai Cowley died in a shark attack in 2023.

“From one mum to another, my heart is holding you so tightly. I lost my beautiful boy Khai in a shark attack in SA — he was only 15 — and I know how unbearable this waiting and fear can be. Your precious boy is in our thoughts and prayers, and your family is being held with deep love and strength right now,” she wrote.

In the moments after the attack, Nico’s friends acted courageously in a bid to save his life.

One who immediately jumped into the water and dragged Nico to the rocks while the shark lurked nearby has been hailed a hero by police.

Two others also acted bravely to help pull him out of the water to safety.

The friend who dragged him from the water told 7NEWS he was proud of Nico’s fight.

“He kept fighting and breathing in my arms and he never gave up for a second,” the friend said.

“He’s the most stubborn person I know.”

The police boat arrived soon after with officer aboard applying two tourniquets, one for each leg to stem the bleeding.

He was given a blood transfusion while in the ambulance on his way from the Rose Bay ferry wharf to the hospital in Randwick.

NSW Ambulance inspector Giles Buchanan said of the rescue effort that it was “touch and go” the whole way to the hospital.

Nico’s attack was the beginning of a spree of shark attacks in NSW over three days. Andre de Ruyter was left in critical condition after an attack at Manly’s North Steyne Beach on Monday night and an 11-year-old boy had a close call after his surfboard was bitten at Dee Why on Monday morning.