SHARK TRAGEDY 

Boy, 12, who had both legs mauled by shark ‘is brain dead & will never wake up’ after horror attack near terrified pals

Nico Antic was mauled by a suspected bull shark at Nielsen Park

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy attacked by a shark in Sydney remains alive in hospital but will never wake up.

Nico Antic was mauled by a suspected bull shark while jumping off rocks at Nielsen Park at around 4.20pm on Sunday.

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Nico Antic suffered catastrophic injuries to both his legs in horror shark attackCredit: Gofundme
 

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Paramedics at Nielson Park after Nico was rescued from the water by friends
 

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He suffered catastrophic injuries to both his legs as his friends watched in horror before dragging him to shore.

Paramedics applied tourniquets and performed CPR before rushing him to hospital.

The attack came amid a spate of four vicious shark encounters in just 48 hours along the New South Wales coast.

Despite reports on Wednesday claiming that Nico died from his injuries, a family member has now confirmed he is alive, the Daily Mail reports.

They told the outlet: “He is still asleep, but will not be able to make it because his brain is completely unresponsive.”

The described Nico as a talented sports player who “never fails to put a smile on peoples faces”.

Adding: “He is loved by many friends and family.”

A fundraiser has been set up by one of Nico’s family friends, Victor Pineiro, to help cover expenses.

The page reads: “Tragically, their beloved child, Nico, was attacked by a shark on Sunday in Sydney harbour and sustained devastating injuries.

“Despite all efforts, this heartbreaking event has led to the worst possible outcome.

“We are raising funds to help the Antic family cover upcoming expenses and related arrangements during this incredibly difficult time.”

Nico’s football club of seven years, Goal Soccer Academy in Rose Bay, said Nico was a “talented and dedicated player”.

In a post on social media, they said the youngster had represented the club in tournaments including the Sydney International Cup.

The series of attacks have shut down beaches and triggered urgent warnings for Australians to stay out of the water.

The latest struck off the state’s mid-north coast near Port Macquarie, where a 39-year-old surfer was injured after a shark clamped down on his board near Limeburners Creek National Park.

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Andre de Ruyter, 27, was mauled while surfing by Manly BeachCredit: Supplied
 

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Horrifying footage shows the moment de Ruyter was attackedCredit: 10 News
 

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An 11-year-old was later attacked while surfing at Dee Why, northern SydneyCredit: TNV
He was taken to hospital with minor injuries and later released.

On Monday morning, an 11-year-old boy was knocked into the water at Dee Why after a shark tore chunks from his surfboard, leaving a large section missing.

And that evening, 27-year-old musician Andre de Ruyter was savaged at North Steyne Beach in Manly, suffering life-changing leg injuries.

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce issued a stark warning as Sydney’s northern beaches were closed.

He said: “If anyone’s thinking of heading into the surf this morning, anywhere along the northern beaches, think again.

“We have such poor water quality that’s conducive to bull shark activity.

“We have two people critically injured in hospital this morning. Just go to a local pool, because at this stage, we’re advising that the beaches are unsafe.”

As panic sweeps Sydeny, experts analysing the attacks say bull sharks were almost certainly responsible for all four incidents.

Dr Amy Smoothey examined images of the bites and pointed to the distinctive broad, overlapping triangular teeth of the species.

Bull sharks are known to operate close to shore, particularly in murky water after heavy rainfall.

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Four shark attacks occurred in two days along the New South Wales coastCredit: AP