A chilling 27-second video circulating online has intensified the grief surrounding the death of 12-year-old Nico Antic, the young soccer prodigy mauled by a suspected bull shark in Sydney Harbour on January 18, 2026. The clip, described as showing the recovery process of the boy’s mangled body from the waters near Nielsen Park’s Jump Rock in Vaucluse, has drawn widespread attention for its raw depiction of the aftermath. At the 10-second mark, the footage reportedly zooms in on emergency responders struggling to lift the lifeless form from the murky shallows, highlighting the severity of the injuries that ultimately claimed his life despite heroic efforts by friends and first responders.
The incident unfolded on a sunny Sunday afternoon during school holidays, when Nico and five friends were enjoying one of their favorite pastimes—leaping from a six-meter rock ledge into the calm, brackish waters along the Hermitage Foreshore Walk. Around 4:20 p.m., as the group splashed and laughed, a large bull shark struck without warning. Nico suffered catastrophic bites to both legs: massive tissue loss, severed arteries, and profound blood loss that left him unconscious almost immediately. Witnesses described screams echoing across the cove as the predator thrashed nearby.
In a moment of extraordinary bravery, one of Nico’s friends dove back into the shark-infested water, grabbing the boy and dragging him toward the rocks while the others helped pull him to safety. Water police arrived swiftly, applying double tourniquets to stem the bleeding—a critical intervention credited with keeping him alive long enough for transport. Officers performed CPR on their marine vessel before a CareFlight helicopter rushed him to Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick. Surgeons worked urgently that evening, but the damage proved too extensive.
The 27-second video, believed to have been captured by a bystander or first responder on scene, begins with chaotic shouts and the sound of waves lapping against rocks. Emergency crews in high-visibility gear surround the water’s edge, where Nico’s small frame lies partially submerged. Paramedics and police work frantically to stabilize him on a backboard, but the footage starkly shows the extent of the trauma: bloodied legs wrapped in hasty bandages, unresponsive limbs, and the grim reality of life slipping away. By the 10-second mark, as responders attempt to hoist the boy from the shallows, the camera captures the heartbreaking struggle—the body limp, the water stained red, and the palpable desperation in the voices urging speed.
Nico was placed on life support in intensive care, induced into a coma to manage his condition. For over 60 hours, family and friends clung to hope. A GoFundMe launched by close friend Victor Piñeiro surged past $170,000, with donors from across Australia and beyond offering support and sharing memories of the “sporty kid who never failed to put a smile on people’s faces.” Nico had been a dedicated player at Goal Soccer Academy in Rose Bay for seven years, earning praise for his talent, dedication, and team spirit. He was also a nipper at North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club, where he was named “most improved under-11 boy” in 2024—ironic now, given the aquatic tragedy that befell him.
His sister Sophie provided the most heartbreaking update: “He is still asleep, but will not be able to make it because his brain is completely unresponsive.” A family member confirmed to media that Nico remained alive in hospital but was brain-dead, with no prospect of waking. Doctors faced the agonizing decision to withdraw support, and Nico passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. The video’s emergence shortly after has amplified the sorrow, serving as a stark visual record of the “horrendous scene” police described.
The attack kicked off a terrifying 48-hour spate across New South Wales: an 11-year-old escaped injury when a shark bit his surfboard multiple times at Dee Why on Monday morning; 27-year-old Andre de Ruyter was mauled and dragged underwater at Manly’s North Steyne Beach that evening, suffering life-altering leg injuries but stabilizing later; and a 39-year-old surfer was nipped at Point Plomer mid-north coast. Authorities attributed the cluster to heavy weekend rainfall flushing nutrient-rich, murky water into the harbour and along the coast—conditions that draw bull sharks closer to shore in search of prey. The splashing from rock-jumpers created a “perfect storm,” mimicking distressed fish and attracting predators.
Superintendent Joseph McNulty praised the “extremely brave” actions of Nico’s friends, noting one teen’s dive into brackish water with the shark still present. Experts like Bond University’s Daryl McPhee highlighted bull sharks’ adaptability to low-visibility, brackish environments. Beaches from harbour coves to northern oceanfronts closed for days, with warnings against risky swims. Calls for enhanced measures—drone patrols, better monitoring, and education on harbour dangers—have intensified.
For Nico’s family, the loss is profound. Originally from South America, they described him as a joyful, family-oriented child whose dreams included professional soccer and inspiring others. Tributes flooded social media: soccer fields lit with candles, balls left untouched, messages from strangers moved by his story. The GoFundMe evolved to cover funeral costs and support the grieving household.
The haunting 27-second clip underscores the fragility of life and the unpredictability of nature. It captures not just a recovery effort, but the moment hope faded—responders’ frantic motions, the small body being lifted, the silence that followed. Nico Antic’s bright future ended in seconds beneath Sydney’s waters, leaving a community in mourning and a stark reminder to respect the ocean’s power. His legacy lives in acts of courage, kindness, and the unbreakable bonds of mateship that defined his final day.
