🚨 “HE WILL NEVER WAKE UP AGAIN AND…” — A close family member of 12-year-old Nico Antic breaks down in tears revealing the unimaginable truth from his hospital bedside. 😭💔

The little soccer star was just rock jumping with friends in Sydney Harbour… then a massive bull shark struck. His mates dragged him out, but the damage was done. Emergency surgery, coma, life support… and now his sister Sophie sobs: “He’s still asleep, but his brain is completely unresponsive.”

This innocent boy, a nipper at North Bondi, fighting for every breath while the family braces for goodbye. How does a fun Sunday afternoon turn into this nightmare?

The shark was right there in the harbour… and now a child’s future is stolen. Click to read the full gut-wrenching update—you’ll be in tears too. 👇🔥

The family of 12-year-old Nico Antic has delivered a heartbreaking update on his condition following a horrific bull shark attack in Sydney Harbour, confirming the boy is brain-dead and unlikely to regain consciousness.

Nico was attacked on the afternoon of January 18, 2026, while jumping from a six-metre rock ledge into the water at Nielsen Park, near Shark Beach in the eastern suburbs suburb of Vaucluse. The popular spot along the Hermitage Foreshore Walk is a known swimming and jumping area for locals and visitors. Nico was with five friends when the incident occurred around 4:20 p.m.

Witnesses and police reports indicate Nico entered the water and was immediately set upon by what authorities believe was a large bull shark. The attack caused severe lacerations to both legs, resulting in catastrophic blood loss. His friends reacted quickly, jumping into the water to pull him onto nearby rocks. New South Wales Water Police arrived shortly after, providing critical first aid to stem the bleeding before Nico was transported by boat to Rose Bay and then rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.

At the hospital, Nico underwent emergency surgery to address his leg injuries and stabilize him. He received multiple blood transfusions due to the extent of blood loss and was placed in an induced coma in the intensive care unit. Initial reports described his condition as critical, with doctors working around the clock to manage complications from the trauma.

By January 21, 2026, the prognosis had worsened significantly. Nico’s older sister, Sophie Antic, spoke to the Daily Mail from the hospital, providing a grim update amid visible emotion. She confirmed her brother remains “still asleep” but explained that his brain is “completely unresponsive,” stating he “will never wake up again.” The family has been informed that Nico is effectively brain-dead, a devastating blow after days of hoping for improvement.

A close family friend, Victor Piñeiro, established a GoFundMe campaign shortly after the attack to assist with medical and related expenses during what he described as an “incredibly difficult time.” The page, which has raised more than AU$120,000, notes the “worst possible outcome” despite exhaustive medical intervention. Messages of support from donors across Australia and beyond have poured in, many praising Nico’s friends for their heroism and expressing sympathy for the Antic family.

Nico was remembered as an active and talented young boy—a promising soccer player and a junior member (nipper) of the North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club. His background, with parents originally from South America, added to the community’s outpouring of grief, as relatives and friends rallied around the bedside.

The attack occurred during a concerning period of shark activity in New South Wales waters. Over the same weekend, there were additional incidents, including a non-fatal bite on an 11-year-old’s surfboard at Dee Why Beach and separate attacks on other individuals, though none fatal. Bull sharks, capable of tolerating freshwater and often venturing into estuaries and harbors, are known to frequent Sydney Harbour, particularly in warmer summer months when water temperatures rise.

New South Wales authorities, including the Department of Primary Industries and police, have issued warnings to swimmers and water users, advising caution in areas with known shark presence. No immediate measures like drum lines or beach closures were reported specifically tied to this incident, but the spate of encounters has heightened public concern.

The Antic family’s statement through Sophie underscores the emotional toll. While no final decisions regarding life support have been detailed publicly, the update signals preparations for the gravest outcome. The boy’s friends, who acted swiftly to save him, have been commended by police and media for their bravery in a chaotic and traumatic scene.

This case adds to a string of rare but high-profile shark encounters in Australian waters in recent years, often prompting renewed debate over beach safety, shark mitigation strategies, and public education. Sydney Harbour, despite its urban setting, has recorded occasional shark sightings and minor incidents, though fatal attacks remain extremely uncommon.

As the Antic family navigates unimaginable loss, the community continues to support them through fundraising and messages of solidarity. Nico’s story serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers in popular recreational areas and the profound impact of such tragedies on young lives and families.

Investigations into the exact circumstances continue, with police reviewing witness accounts and any available footage. For now, focus remains on the boy fighting silently in hospital and a family clinging to memories amid heartbreak.