Twelve-year-old Nico Antic has died in hospital from injuries sustained in a shark attack in Sydney Harbour, his family announced on Saturday, 24 January 2026, closing nearly a week of hope after the boy was critically injured at a city beach.

According to ABC News, Nico was attacked on Sunday, 18 January 2026, while jumping off rocks with friends near Shark Beach at Nielsen Park in Vaucluse in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, about 9 km from the central business district. He suffered severe injuries to both legs in what authorities believe was a bull shark attack, emergency crews and relatives said.

At the time of the incident, one of Nico’s friends immediately jumped into the water to pull him to safety, followed by others who helped drag him onto the rocks while a shark was still nearby.

Water Police arrived within minutes, applied tourniquets to his seriously wounded legs and provided first aid before paramedics transported him to Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, where he was treated in critical condition. Despite surgical efforts and ongoing intensive care, Nico succumbed to his injuries six days after the attack, his parents said in a statement expressing heartbreak at their loss.

“Nico was a happy, friendly and sporty young boy with the most kind and generous spirit,” his parents, Lorena and Juan Antic, said thanking first responders, hospital staff and the community for their support, and asking for privacy as they grieve, ABC News reported.

A GoFundMe page launched to assist the family has raised more than $230,000, with messages of support coming from across Australia and beyond. Friends and classmates shared tributes, describing Nico’s “fun-loving” nature and recalling the courage he showed in his final moments. 

The attack on Nico was part of a spike in shark incidents along the New South Wales coast over several days, prompting the closure of dozens of beaches as authorities deployed SMART drumlines, drones and increased patrols to monitor shark movements. Heavy rainfall preceding the events left waters murky and more likely to attract sharks closer to shore, officials said.

Australia averages about 20 shark interactions a year, with fewer than three resulting in death, according to conservation data; fatal attacks like Nico’s remain rare.