A devastated mother has shared a heartbreaking farewell to her son after 12-year-old Nico Antic died from injuries sustained in a shark attack, leaving a community in shock and reigniting fears about safety along Australia’s coastline.

“In the next life, please be my son again. I am so proud of you,” Nico’s mother said in an emotional message that has since resonated far beyond her family’s immediate circle.

The young boy was swimming with friends when the unthinkable happened. What began as a carefree moment in the water ended in tragedy when Nico was attacked by a shark, suffering catastrophic injuries that would ultimately claim his life.

A Day That Ended in Horror

According to reports, Nico had been enjoying time in the water with friends when he was suddenly bitten by a shark. Witnesses described scenes of panic as bystanders rushed to help, pulling the injured child from the water and attempting to stem the bleeding until emergency services arrived.

Paramedics worked desperately to stabilize Nico at the scene before rushing him to hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, the injuries he sustained were too severe. He later died surrounded by loved ones.

News of the boy’s death spread quickly, sending shockwaves through the local community and across the country.

A Mother’s Unbearable Loss

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Nico’s mother broke her silence with a message that captured the depth of a parent’s grief.

“In the next life, still be my son,” she said. “I am proud of you.”

Her words, simple yet devastating, struck a chord with parents everywhere. Friends, strangers, and community members flooded social media with messages of support, condolences, and disbelief that a young life could be taken so suddenly.

Those who knew Nico described him as a lively, kind-hearted boy who loved spending time with friends and enjoyed the outdoors. His death has left a void that words struggle to fill.

Community in Mourning

Vigils and tributes began appearing shortly after news of Nico’s passing emerged. Flowers, handwritten notes, and candles were left in his memory as people struggled to process what had happened.

Local residents said the attack had shattered their sense of security, particularly for families who regularly visit the water.

“This could have been any child,” one resident said. “That’s what makes it so terrifying.”

Schools and community groups offered counseling services to help children and parents cope with the trauma, while local leaders urged unity and compassion in the wake of the loss.

Renewed Questions About Safety

The fatal incident has also reignited debate over shark safety measures and the risks associated with swimming in coastal waters.

While shark attacks remain statistically rare, each incident leaves a lasting impact, especially when it involves a child. Authorities have reiterated that the ocean is a natural environment shared with marine life, emphasizing the importance of awareness and caution.

Officials said they are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the attack and urged swimmers to follow safety guidelines, including swimming in groups, avoiding murky waters, and paying attention to warnings.

A Family Changed Forever

For Nico’s family, however, discussions about safety measures offer little comfort. Their focus remains on mourning a son whose life was cut tragically short.

Friends of the family said Nico was deeply loved and that his parents had always encouraged him to enjoy life, explore the world, and embrace every moment.

Now, those moments exist only in memories.

“He was everything to them,” a family friend said. “No parent should ever have to bury a child.”

An Outpouring of Support

Since the tragedy, messages of sympathy have poured in from across Australia and beyond. Parents held their children a little tighter. Communities paused to reflect on how fragile life can be.

Mental health experts noted that such incidents can deeply affect not only those directly involved but also witnesses and first responders, many of whom are left carrying emotional scars long after the physical scene is cleared.

Remembering Nico

As the community mourns, many are choosing to remember Nico not for how he died, but for how he lived.

He was a child who loved the water, laughter, and friendship — a boy whose future held endless possibilities.

His mother’s final words serve as a haunting reminder of that loss.

“In the next life,” she said, “be my son again.”

It is a sentence filled with love, grief, and a longing that no parent should ever know.