Twelve-year-old boy dies from injuries after Sydney shark attack

A 12-year-old boy who was bitten by a shark in Sydney's east last week has succumbed to his critical leg injuries.

A photo of a boy in a blue shirt set against the background of a rocky beach.

Nico Antic, the 12-year-old bitten by a shark at Nielsen Park in eastern Sydney last week, has died. Source: AAP / Sitthixay Ditthavong

Nico Antic, a 12-year-old boy attacked by a shark last week, has died from his injuries.

Last Sunday, Antic was attacked by a shark while swimming with friends at Nielsen Park in Sydney Harbour, a heritage-listed site in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

He's sustained critical injuries to his legs and passed away on Saturday.

"We are heartbroken to share that our son, Nico, has passed away," his parents, Lorena and Juan, said in a statement.

"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."

The couple thanked the first responders and the teams at Sydney Children's Hospital "for everything they did to care for Nico" as well as those in their community for their support.

The Antic family had been preparing for the "worst possible outcome" since the attack.

A friend of the Antic family set up a fundraiser that has collected more than $238,000.

It was the first of four shark bites within three days in NSW, triggering widespread community concern and beach closures.

The attacks followed several days of rain in Sydney last week, which created "brackish" water around Sydney that provided ideal conditions for shark attacks.

All NSW beaches are however expected to be open for the Australia Day long weekend despite the spate of shark attacks which prompted days-long closures.

NSW's shark management program, given a $2.5 million boost in December, includes SMART drumlines and drone patrols at 50 beaches during school holidays.


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Source: AAP



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