Boy, 12, and man critically hurt in Sydney after three shark attacks in two days
Officials say days of heavy rain have filled Sydney Harbour with fresh water, creating ideal conditions for bull sharks.
A beach is closed after a shark attack in Sydney. Pic: Reuters
Two people, including a 12-year-old boy, are reported to be critically ill after separate shark attacks in Sydney, the third incident in two days.
The boy had been jumping off rocks with friends late on Sunday afternoon, off Shark Beach in Vaucluse, when he was bitten.
Lifeguards attempt to locate sharks off Dee Why Beach. Pic: Reuters
According to a local ambulance spokesperson, a surfer has been critically injured off North Steyne Beach in Manly.
9News reported that a group of people pulled the man from the water and on to the sand after he was bitten by a shark on the leg.
It said an 11-year-old boy also had a narrow escape when a shark took a bite out of his surfboard.
It added that the child, who was helped by lifesavers, was unscathed after the attack off Dee Why Beach, near Dee Why Point.
The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said analysis of the estimated 15cm chunk bite mark suggested it was likely from a bull shark.
The Northern Beaches Council said in a statement it had installed shark warning signs and deployed a jet ski to patrol the waters.
It added that New South Wales Surf Life Saving had also launched a drone to monitor the water for sharks.
Swimmers are warned to stay close to the beach. Pic: Reuters
The incidents followed days of heavy rain that filled Sydney Harbour with fresh water, creating ideal conditions for the bull shark suspected to be behind Sunday’s attack.
“We believe the combination of the brackish water, the fresh water, the actions of the splashing may have made that perfect storm environment for that shark attack yesterday,” Sup McNulty added.
Australia sees around 20 shark attacks per year, with just under three of those being fatalities, according to data from conservation groups – numbers that are dwarfed by drownings and other accidents on the country’s beaches.
The recent shark attack on 12-year-old Nico Antic in Sydney Harbour has left the Australian community in profound grief, with his family sharing deeply emotional and haunting details about the final moments and messages from their beloved son. On January 18, 2026, Nico was enjoying a sunny afternoon with friends at a popular rock-jumping spot near Shark Beach in Nielsen Park, Vaucluse. What began as carefree leaps into the water turned into a nightmare when a suspected large bull shark attacked, inflicting catastrophic injuries to both of his legs.
Nico’s friends displayed remarkable courage, with one jumping back into the bloodied, murky water to drag him onto a rock, likely preventing him from drowning or succumbing to blood loss immediately. Water police provided urgent first aid on site before he was rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, where he underwent emergency surgery and was placed in intensive care. Despite medical efforts, massive blood loss and prolonged unconsciousness led to severe brain damage.
As of January 21, 2026, Nico remains on life support. His older sister, Sophie Antic, broke her silence in statements to media, confirming he is still alive but brain-dead and unresponsive, with no prospect of waking from his coma. She described the heartbreaking reality: “He is still asleep, but will not be able to make it because his brain is completely unresponsive.” The family, originally from South America, has been by his bedside, grappling with the shift from hope to acceptance of the inevitable.
Among the most poignant revelations is a last message Nico sent to his mother before the tragedy. In a moment of everyday affection, he wrote words that now echo with unbearable weight: “My son, I wish that if there’s a next life, you’ll still be my son.” This tender exchange, recalled by his mother amid tears, captures the deep bond they shared. She has been haunted by what Nico described about that day—the excitement of jumping with friends, the sudden silence after the attack, and the terror that unfolded beneath the surface. These memories replay endlessly for her, turning what should have been joyful recollections into sources of unending pain.
The mother’s anguish highlights the human devastation behind the headlines. Loved ones have spoken of the “worst possible outcome” as they prepare for what now seems certain. An online fundraiser, initiated by family friend Victor Piñeiro, has raised significant funds—surpassing $90,000 in some reports—to support medical expenses and the family’s needs during this crisis. Messages of support from the community, including from Nico’s soccer club (where he played for seven years), have poured in, offering solace amid the sorrow.
This incident occurred amid an alarming cluster of shark encounters in New South Wales. In the days around Nico’s attack, other incidents included a surfer’s board bitten at Dee Why (rider uninjured), serious leg injuries to another surfer at Manly, and a bite to a 39-year-old off the Mid North Coast. Authorities attribute much of the activity to bull sharks, which are adaptable predators known to enter harbours and estuaries after heavy rainfall stirs up nutrients and lowers salinity—conditions present in Sydney recently.
Bull sharks are particularly dangerous due to their aggressive nature and tolerance for brackish water, often venturing close to shore in urban areas like Sydney Harbour. While shark attacks remain statistically rare, this spate has renewed debates on prevention. Calls have grown for expanded drone surveillance, additional netting beyond current enclosures, or drum lines in vulnerable spots. Conservation experts, however, stress the importance of sharks in marine ecosystems and caution against reactive measures like culling.
Nielsen Park and Shark Beach are cherished family destinations for picnics, swimming, and adventure, making the irony of the location even more tragic. The area lies outside the main shark-netted zones, leaving swimmers exposed in deeper waters near rock ledges.
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The serene waters of Nielsen Park, site of the tragic attack near the rock-jumping area.
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Bull sharks, like this example caught in Sydney Harbour, are suspected in Nico’s attack due to their presence in estuarine environments.
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Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, where Nico has been fighting since the attack.
Nico’s story has united people in empathy, admiration for his friends’ heroism, and reflection on the fragility of life. His mother’s recalled message serves as a heartbreaking testament to unconditional love—a wish for reunion in another life that now carries the weight of farewell. As the family navigates unimaginable loss, the community continues to rally, honoring a bright young boy whose spirit touched many in far too short a time.
