A harrowing tale of adolescent bravery has emerged from Sydney’s coastline, where a young companion risked his own safety to rescue a friend during a traumatic shark encounter. The incident, involving 12-year-old Nico Antic, occurred last Sunday afternoon while he was rock jumping with peers at Hermitage Foreshore Walk near Shark Beach in Vaucluse.
According to eyewitness accounts, one of Nico’s friends demonstrated extraordinary courage by entering the water despite the visible presence of the predator to drag the injured boy to safety. “He kept fighting and breathing in my arms and he never gave up for a second,” the rescuer told 7News, describing Nico as “the most stubborn person I know.”
The attack formed part of a concerning pattern along New South Wales coastline, with three additional shark incidents reported within the same week. These included an 11-year-old surfer whose board was damaged at Dee Why Point, 27-year-old surfer Andre de Ruyter encountering a shark at Manly Beach, and 39-year-old Paul Zvirzdinas being knocked from his board near Port Macquarie.
Emergency response teams provided critical first aid before transporting Nico via boat to Rose Bay and subsequently to the Children’s Hospital in Randwick. NSW Police Superintendent Joseph McNulty publicly commended the “brave” actions of the young rescuers, noting the “very confronting injuries” they faced during the rescue.
Community support has surged through a GoFundMe campaign organized by family friend Victor Piñeiro, which has raised over $224,000 of its $250,000 target to assist with medical expenses and related costs. The fundraiser description noted Nico had sustained “devastating injuries” from the encounter.
In response to the incidents, Northern Beaches Council implemented temporary beach closures but has since reopened facilities ahead of the Australia Day long weekend with enhanced safety measures. These include increased aerial surveillance, jet ski patrols, additional drum lines, and reactivated lifeguard services. Mayor Sue Heins emphasized the importance of swimming between flags and heeding lifeguard instructions during this period of heightened shark activity.