“He was pulled from the water alive — but nothing is the same now.”
The family of 27-year-old surfer Andre de Ruyter have broken their silence, revealing his current condition after the shark incident at a Sydney beach.
Newly surfaced details describe the terrifying moments in the surf, as panic spread and time seemed to stop.
What Andre endured in those seconds is now leaving many shaken 😱👇

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The recent shark attack on surfer Andre de Ruyter, a 27-year-old musician, graphic artist, and passionate surfer from the South Coast/Illawarra region near Sydney, has captured widespread attention amid a terrifying spate of incidents along New South Wales (NSW) beaches in January 2026.

“He was saved, but…”: The family of surfer Andre de Ruyter, 27, reveal his current condition after the attack at a Sydney beach, as new details emerge about the terrifying moments when he was mauled.

On Monday, January 19, 2026, at approximately 6:20 p.m., de Ruyter was surfing at North Steyne Beach in Manly, a popular northern Sydney suburb, when a suspected bull shark struck him without warning. This incident marked the third in a shocking series of four shark attacks across NSW in just over 48 hours, heightening fears among beachgoers and leading to widespread beach closures.

The Harrowing Attack: Eyewitness Accounts

De Ruyter had paddled out for a late-afternoon session in modest two-foot waves. Fellow surfers Ash Bowler and Eduardo Botty were nearby, enjoying a casual post-work surf. The trio briefly exchanged greetings as de Ruyter settled in.

Moments later, the shark latched onto de Ruyter’s leg, shaking him violently in the water. Witnesses described the scene as surreal and horrifying. Ash Bowler recounted the chaos: the shark was “shaking him around,” and de Ruyter began screaming, “No joke, no joke, it’s biting me, it’s biting me, it’s eating me, it’s eating, it’s killing me!” His cries echoed across the lineup as the attack unfolded.

Bowler and Botty immediately sprang into action, paddling toward him despite the danger. They helped pull de Ruyter onto his board and guided him to shore, urging him not to look down at his severely injured leg. “I kept telling him to not look at his leg and we just kept paddling,” one rescuer later shared in interviews. Their quick thinking and bravery are credited with saving his life, turning what could have been a fatal encounter into a story of survival. Bystanders and first responders on the beach provided immediate aid, applying tourniquets and pressure to control massive blood loss.

Paramedics arrived to find de Ruyter in cardiac arrest. In a dramatic, high-speed effort likened to an “F1 pit stop,” he received multiple units of blood via transfusion en route to the hospital under police escort. He was initially listed in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, primarily to his lower leg—described by some accounts as severe from the knee down.

Family Update: “He Was Saved, But…”

In the days following, de Ruyter’s family shared emotional updates via social media and local outlets like Manly Observer. His mother, Lisa de Ruyter, posted a family-supplied photo and statement expressing profound gratitude to the “brave first responders” and medical team.

“Andre de Ruyter, our compassionate, talented musician, graphic artist and lover of surfing has been placed in a stable condition with wonderful attentive medical staff,” the statement read. The family appealed for “positive energy” and support for his recovery, describing him as a beloved local figure who frequently performed music at venues across the Illawarra and Sydney’s northern beaches.

While de Ruyter survived the initial mauling and stabilized, the injuries proved devastating. Authorities and medical reports confirmed that surgeons amputated part of his lower leg to address catastrophic tissue damage and prevent further complications like infection. This “life-changing” outcome underscores the “but…” in the family’s guarded optimism—he was saved from death, but faces a long, challenging rehabilitation, potential prosthetics, and adjustments to his active lifestyle as a surfer, artist, and musician.

Broader Context: A Spate of Attacks

De Ruyter’s attack occurred amid an unusual cluster:

Sunday, January 18: A 12-year-old boy, Nico Antic, was mauled by a suspected bull shark while swimming/jumping off rocks at Nielsen Park in Vaucluse (Sydney Harbour). He suffered catastrophic injuries and was later described as “brain-dead” with families preparing for the worst.
Monday morning, January 19: An 11-year-old’s surfboard was bitten multiple times at Dee Why Beach.
Monday evening: De Ruyter’s mauling at North Steyne/Manly.
Tuesday, January 20: A 39-year-old surfer sustained a chest wound when a shark bit his board at Point Plomer on the Mid North Coast.

Heavy rainfall prior to the incidents flushed nutrients into coastal waters, potentially drawing sharks closer to shore and creating a “perfect storm” environment, according to experts. Bull sharks, known for tolerating brackish water and venturing into harbors/estuaries, were suspected in several cases.

NSW authorities closed northern Sydney beaches for days, urging people to “just go to a pool.” Shark patrols increased, and discussions about mitigation (nets, drones, etc.) reignited.

Survival and Resilience

De Ruyter’s story highlights both the ocean’s dangers and human heroism. Rescuers Ash and Eduardo described the scene as “a horror movie,” yet emphasized de Ruyter’s fierce will to live. His family’s updates focus on gratitude and hope, even amid permanent changes.

As of January 22, 2026, de Ruyter remains in hospital under attentive care, recovering from surgery and blood loss. Community support has poured in, with calls for donations and messages highlighting his talents.

Shark attacks remain statistically rare in Australia, but clusters like this remind us of the risks in shared marine spaces. For de Ruyter, the road ahead involves healing, adaptation, and perhaps redefining his passions—but his survival is a testament to quick community response and medical intervention.