According to a fundraising organized by a family friend, a 12-year-old child who was attacked by a shark at a well-known Sydney beach is struggling for his life.
A friend attempted to assist
Nico Antic was attacked by what is thought to be a bull shark while swimming with friends at a rock-jumping location close to Shark Beach in Vaucluse.
Two friends carried him onto a nearby rock platform, where he had lost consciousness, while another buddy went in to help.
After receiving CPR and tourniquets for his severely damaged legs aboard a police marine boat, he was taken to Sydney Children’s Hospital, where he is now in critical condition.
Nico, who worked as a Nipper at the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, had surgery and was put in an induced coma. Prior to his arrival at the hospital, he received multiple blood transfusions.
In an update on the campaign on Tuesday, Victor Piñeiro, who describes himself as a “close friend” of the Antic family, said that despite “all efforts,” this “heartbreaking event has led to the worst possible outcome.”
The entire statement is as follows: “Unfortunately, their cherished child, Nico, was severely injured in a shark attack in Sydney Harbor on Sunday. This tragic incident has had the worst conceivable result despite every effort.
“We are collecting money to support the Antic family during this extremely trying time by helping them with future costs and associated arrangements. Any amount of money would be much appreciated and will lessen their financial load while they are grieving. The Antic family will get all donations.
$65,000 was raised.
The fundraiser has raised $65,000 so far.
According to sources for the Sydney Morning Herald, Nico is alive but in critical condition, while Nine News reports that he is on life support.
This attack coincides with many shark-related incidents in the Sydney area.
An 11-year-old boy barely survived Monday after a big shark tore a piece off his surfboard and threw him into the water a few kilometers away.
The child was fortunate to escape the attack, according to Surf Life Saving New South Wales CEO Steven Pearce.
He remarked, “I have to say that the young boy [today] is extremely lucky to get away with just a chunk out of the board—certainly a terrifying situation and it’s just very fortunate that he had his father there with him at the same time.”
To aid in the identification of the shark species, a portion of the missing board has been forwarded to New South Wales Fisheries.
A man in his 20s who was swimming at Manly Beach later that day was also attacked and is currently in critical condition at Royal North Shore Hospital.
All Northern Beaches have been closed by authorities till further notice. The first two assaults were carried out by bull sharks, and the third attack’s species is yet unknown.
A witness claimed to have seen a 1.5-meter-long bull shark.
