In a terrifying incident that has shocked Sydney, one of the friends who rescued young shark attack victim Nico Antic from the water has spoken out about his courageous actions. The 12-year-old boy was enjoying a day out with two mates, jumping off a six-metre high rock in Sydney Harbour around 4.20pm on Sunday, when he was suddenly attacked by what authorities believe was a bull shark.
Heroic Rescue Amidst Shark Threat
One of Nico's friends has been widely praised as a hero for his immediate response. Without hesitation, he jumped into the water where the shark was still lurking nearby and managed to drag Nico onto the safety of the rocks. Other friends quickly joined in to help pull him completely from the water before Water Police arrived on the scene to administer crucial first aid.
NSW Police Superintendent Joseph McNulty publicly commended the bravery displayed by Nico's friends during a statement on Monday. "The actions of his mates who have gone into the water to pull him out have been nothing but brave, a gallant recovery from his mates," he said. "Those young men are brave under those circumstances, and very confronting injuries for those boys to see. But I suppose that's mateship."
Critical Injuries and Community Support
Nico Antic suffered severe leg injuries in the attack and was rushed to Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick in critical condition. The friend who performed the initial rescue expressed both pride and admiration for Nico's fighting spirit during the ordeal. "He kept fighting and breathing in my arms and he never gave up for a second," the friend revealed. "He's the most stubborn person I know."
Online, emotional tributes have been pouring in for Nico, describing him as a kind, fun-loving, and sporty boy who was known for sharing memes that brought laughter to his friends. A GoFundMe page has been established to support Nico's family during what organisers have called an "incredibly difficult time." A close friend who initiated the fundraiser wrote, "Despite all efforts, this heartbreaking event has led to the worst possible outcome. We are raising funds to help the Antic family cover upcoming expenses and related arrangements during this incredibly difficult time. Any contribution, no matter the size, would be deeply appreciated and will help ease the financial burden as they grieve. All funds will be donated to the Antic family."
Series of Shark Attacks Along NSW Coast
This incident is part of a concerning pattern of shark encounters along the New South Wales coastline since Sunday. Just hours after Nico was attacked, an 11-year-old boy narrowly escaped injury when a shark took a large chunk out of his surfboard at Dee Why Point on Monday morning.
Later that same day, around 6pm, 27-year-old surfer Andre de Ruyter was dragged underwater during a shark attack at Manly Beach. He was pulled unconscious from the water by fellow surfers and rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital in critical condition.
Less than twenty-four hours later, on Tuesday, 39-year-old surfer Paul Zvirzdinas reported being bitten by what he described as an "animal" while in the water at Point Plomer Beach, south of Crescent Head. He managed to drive himself to Kempsey District Hospital and has since been discharged after treatment.
Safety Measures and Beach Closures
In response to these multiple incidents, all beaches in Sydney's northern beaches region were temporarily closed as a precautionary measure. However, authorities have indicated that they are expected to reopen in time for the Australia Day long weekend.
To enhance public safety, more than thirty SMART (Shark-Management-Alert-In-RealTime) drumlines have been deployed along Sydney beaches. Additionally, shark listening stations and aerial surveillance efforts have been significantly increased to monitor shark activity and provide early warnings to beachgoers.
