Family’s heartbreaking update on young son after shark attack horror in Sydney Harbour

The family of the 12-year-old mauled by a shark in Sydney Harbour have confirmed doctors have told them the news no parent wants to hear.

The family of a 12-year-old boy mauled by a shark in Sydney Harbour have issued a heartbreaking update on his condition following the terrifying attack.

The youngster, named as Nico Antic, was at the beach with his mates on Sunday (January 18) when the horror unfolded. The boys had been jumping off rocks at the beach in Vaucluse, an affluent suburb in Sydney’s iconic harbour, when Nico was suddenly bitten by what is believed to have been a bull shark.

The shocking mauling in Sydney waters marked the first in a series of four shark incidents reported across the Australian state of New South Wales in a matter of days, with each attack sparking renewed fears for swimmers and beachgoers.

Emergency crews raced to the scene on Sunday in a desperate attempt to save little Nico’s life. First responders arrived in a matter of minutes after witnesses dialled Australian emergency number triple zero, and have since praised Nico’s friends for their bravery and quick thinking after one boy bravely entered the water with both Nico and the shark to pull his pal to safety.

Nico was rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital in a critical condition, with both his legs were severely injured in the attack. He has been in a coma since horror-struck at the beach, and underwent emergency surgery on Sunday night Bur, despite the best efforts of doctors, his family have since shared his devastating prognosis.

His sister, Sophie, shared her family’s heartbreak with the Daily Mail. She said Nico is “still asleep, but will not be able to make it because his brain is completely unresponsive”.

She added: “He is a sporty kid and never fails to put a smile on people’s faces. He is loved by many friends and family.”

The sad update comes only a day after family friend Victor Piñeiro set up a GoFundMe campaign to support the Antic family. He issued a similarly bleak update on Tuesday on Nico’s condition alongside the fundraiser to help his family through such an impossible time.

“Despite all efforts, this heartbreaking event has led to the worst possible outcome,” he wrote. “We are raising funds to help the Antic family cover upcoming expenses and related arrangements during this incredibly difficult time.”

About 1,700 people have donated to the family so far, and, as of 2.30pm local time, had raised just more than AUD$122,000 (£61,000).

Nico was the first victim of a spate of shark attacks across the Australian state of New South Wales in the days that followed. Swimming spots on NSW’s northern beaches were closed yesterday to both surfers and swimmers for 48 hours after a 39-year-old man became the fourth person mauled since Sunday.

On Monday, a 27-year-old man suffered critical injuries after being bitten at North Steyne Beach in Manly, on Sydney’s northern beaches. NSW Police say the man has sustained “life-changing injuries” in the attack and he remains in critical condition following surgery. And, in another attack on Monday, another surfer escaped without injury after a shark took a chunk out of his surfboard at Dee Why Beach on NSW’s northern beaches.

Shark experts say conditions in NSW at the moment – warm ocean temperatures and dirty water from recent storms – are providing perfect conditions for bull shark activity.

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce said to Australian national broadcaster the ABC: “Anytime after a big weather event there’s always going to be a lot of run-off and out flow of creeks into the ocean and river mouths. We really strongly advocate that nobody swim or surf near river mouths because it’s obviously an area where sharks congregate. If it’s dirty water I’d think twice about going in there.”

Peace added: “We have such poor water quality that’s conducive to bull shark activity … [so] just go to a local pool, because at this stage, we’re advising that the beaches are unsafe.”

You can donate to the Antic family via the GoFundMe campaign here.