The heartbreaking tragedy of 12-year-old Nico Antic has shocked the world: a fun afternoon cliff-jumping with friends in Sydney Harbour turned into a nightmare shark attack that claimed his young life nearly a week later.

His family’s final words are absolutely devastating… they reveal a boy who was “always full of life” with the “most kind and generous spirit” — but what they said next will leave you in tears 😢

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A 12-year-old boy has died from injuries sustained in a horrific shark attack in Sydney Harbor, marking a devastating end to a week-long fight for survival and underscoring the rare but real risks associated with swimming in Australian waters.

Nico Antic succumbed to his injuries on January 24, 2026, almost six days after the attack occurred on January 18 at a popular cliff-jumping location known as Jump Rock near Shark Beach in the eastern Sydney suburb of Vaucluse. The incident took place around 4:20 p.m. local time when Nico jumped from a roughly 20-foot (6-meter) rock ledge into the water alongside friends. Witnesses and reports indicate he was swimming outside any protective shark nets when a large shark — believed to be a bull shark — attacked him, inflicting severe bites to both legs.

Friends who were with him reacted immediately and heroically. One friend jumped back into the water, pulled the injured boy to shore while holding him as he struggled to stay conscious, and helped call emergency services. Paramedics arrived swiftly, providing critical first aid before rushing Nico to Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, where he arrived in critical condition. Medical teams fought to stabilize him, but complications from the massive blood loss and leg injuries proved fatal. Some reports suggested he had been declared brain dead prior to the official announcement of his passing, just weeks shy of what would have been his 13th birthday.

In a joint statement released by his parents, Lorena and Juan Antic, the family expressed profound grief while paying tribute to their son’s character.

“We are heartbroken to share that our son, Nico, has passed away,” the statement read. “Nico was a happy, friendly, and sporty young boy with the most kind and generous spirit. He was always full of life and that’s how we’ll remember him.”

The parents extended sincere thanks to the first responders, paramedics, and the dedicated medical staff at Sydney Children’s Hospital for their exhaustive efforts to save Nico. They also acknowledged the overwhelming support from the broader community, including kind messages and donations pouring in via a GoFundMe page set up by a family friend. By the evening of January 25, the fundraiser had collected more than $266,000 to assist with expenses and support the family during this unimaginable time.

The attack occurred in murky waters, a condition experts have linked to recent heavy rainfall in the region. Bull sharks, known for their tolerance of brackish and freshwater environments, are occasionally sighted in Sydney Harbor, particularly after storms stir up sediment and reduce visibility. Such conditions can increase the likelihood of mistaken-identity bites, where sharks confuse human activity for prey. Australia records an average of about 20 unprovoked shark attacks per year, with fatalities remaining extremely rare — typically fewer than three annually, according to data from the International Shark Attack File maintained by the University of Florida.

This incident is part of a cluster of recent shark encounters along Australia’s southeastern coast, prompting heightened alerts and temporary beach closures in some areas. Authorities have emphasized that while shark attacks grab headlines, the risk remains statistically low compared to other everyday hazards like rip currents or road accidents. Still, the tragedy has reignited public debate over shark management strategies, including the use of nets, drum lines, and emerging technologies like drones and personal deterrent devices.

Nico’s death has drawn widespread sympathy from across Australia and internationally. Friends and community members have described him as a vibrant, outgoing child who loved sports and spending time outdoors. One account from a friend who was present recalled the boy’s determination in his final moments awake: he “kept fighting and breathing” even as he was held in the water, never giving up until he lost consciousness.

The family’s tribute highlights not just the loss of a young life but the enduring memory of a boy defined by kindness and energy. “He was always full of life,” they said, a phrase that has resonated deeply online and in media coverage.

As Sydney’s eastern beaches gradually reopen following heightened shark monitoring, this case serves as a somber reminder of nature’s unpredictability. For the Antic family, the focus now turns to healing amid an outpouring of support. Their statement closed with gratitude: “We would like to sincerely thank the first responders and teams at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick for everything they did to care for Nico. We would also like to thank everyone in the community for their support and kind messages.”