‘Worst possible outcome’: Heartbreaking detail as family of shark attack victim Nico Antic rally around mauled 12yo

Family of a young boy – who is one of four mauled in a spate of horror shark attacks across NSW – are preparing for the “worst possible outcome” as their child fights for life in hospital. Nico Antic, 12, was set upon by a bull shark at Hermitage Foreshore Walk near Shark Beach in Vaucluse on Sunday afternoon. He was jumping from a 6m rock with his friends at the popular spot about 4.20pm when he was bitten – his friends intervening to drag him to the surface. Nico was transported by boat to Rose Bay before being taken to the Children’s Hospital in Randwick, where he remains in a critical condition. Victor Piñeiro, a family friend of the Antics, said the “heartbreaking” event has led to the “worst possible outcome” for the family. “We are raising funds to help the Antic family cover upcoming expenses and related arrangements during this incredibly difficult time,” Mr Piñeiro said in a GoFundMe set up for the Antic family. “Any contribution, no matter the size, would be deeply appreciated and will help ease the financial burden as they grieve.” A man is in critical condition after he was bitten on the calf by a shark at Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Shortly after the devastating attack, an 11-year-old made a lucky escape after he was thrown off his surfboard by a shark on the Northern Beaches. The young surfer was on his board at Dee Why beach shortly before midday Monday when he was set upon by a five-foot bull shark, taking out a large chunk of his surfboard. Fortunately, the child was not seriously injured in the incident and was helped back to the shore by his father. Man critical in third shark attack A 27-year-old surfer was the third victim in the string of shark incidents along the coast, after he was attacked at a Manly beach on Monday evening. Andre de Ruyter, a local musician and keen surfer from Wollongong, was at North Steyne about 6.20pm Monday when he was dragged under water by a bull shark. The surfer was pulled back to the shore by two nearby swimmers, who applied a rope as a tourniquet to his legs to stem the bleeding. He suffered cardiac arrest and lost a significant amount of blood by the time paramedics arrived. Mr Pearce said lifesavers were undergoing CPR training at the time of the incident. Four shark attacks in 48 hours On Tuesday morning, a 39-year-old man was transported to Kempsey Hospital after he was thrown off his board by a shark at a beach in Point Plomer near Port Macquarie. He sustained minor leg injuries and was transported to Kempsey Hospital in a stable condition. NSW Surf Life Saving chief executive officer Steve Pearce told 2GB the 39-year-old was lucky to escape the shark’s jaws. “There were multiple sharks in the water, but fortunately the surfer only sustained minor leg injuries,” he said. Suspected bull shark in Cronulla Sydneysiders urged to avoid beaches until further notice Due to the significant rainfall hitting Sydney over the weekend, the sea became brackish – a mixture of fresh and salt water usually found where the river meets the sea – creating “prime conditions for bull shark activity”. As the state grapples with the spate of shark attacks along the coast, authorities have urged locals to stay away from waters until further notice. Mr Pearce said the number of shark attacks in the span of three days was “unprecedented”. Authorities have shut the Northern Beaches coastline for at least 48 hours, with helicopters monitoring 10 beaches up and down the coast to watch for more shark activity. “The beaches are closed,” Mr Pearce said. “The beaches are unsafe with these conditions. We’re asking people please ensure your own personal safety.” After Tuesday’s shark attack, National Parks and Wildlife Services also shut beaches between Queens Head to Big Hill, either side of Point Plomer, with drones deployed in the area.