Boy, 12, dies following shark attack while swimming at popular cliff-jumping spot: 'We are heartbroken'

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Boy, 12, dies following shark attack at popular cliff-jumping spot: 'We are heartbroken'

Nico Antic had been hospitalized since Jan. 18 attack in Sydney Harbor

Sophia Compton Fox News

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January 24, 2026 8:45pm EST

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A 12-year-old Australian boy has died following a brutal shark attack in Sydney Harbor, his family confirmed Saturday.

Nico Antic had been fighting for his life since Jan. 18, when he was attacked while swimming at a popular cliff-jumping spot known as Jump Rock near Shark Beach in the eastern Sydney suburb of Vaucluse.

His family announced Saturday that he had died.

"We are heartbroken to share that our son, Nico, has passed away," Nico’s parents, Lorena and Juan, said in a statement. "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."

SURFER SAYS SHARK ATTACK FELT 'LIKE BEING HIT BY A CAR' AS BOARD BITTEN IN HALF: REPORTS

A 12-year-old Australian boy has died following a brutal shark attack in Sydney Harbour, his family confirmed Saturday. (GoFundMe)

They also thanked first responders and medical staff at Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick for their efforts, as well as members of the community for their support.

A GoFundMe campaign launched by a family friend had raised more than $266,000 as of Saturday evening.

FOURTH SHARK ATTACK IN THREE DAYS ROCKS AUSTRALIA AS AUTHORITIES CLOSE BEACHES AND DEPLOY DRUMLINES

A swimmer takes a dip at Whale Beach ignoring warning signs as beaches in Sydney's north have been closed since Tuesday due to shark attacks and dangerous currents in Sydney, Australia. (Steve Christo/Corbis via Getty Images)

According to police, the attack took place at around 4:20 p.m. on Jan. 18, after Antic jumped from a 20-foot ledge into the water. He suffered severe injuries to both legs, believed to have been caused by a large shark.

His three friends immediately jumped into the water, pulled him to shore and called for help. Antic was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

Local media reported at the time that he had lost both legs.

SURFER SAYS SHARK ATTACK FELT "LIKE BEING HIT BY A CAR" AS BOARD BITTEN IN HALF: REPORTS

A net runs into Sydney Harbor at a closed beach at Vaucluse in Sydney, Jan. 19, a day after a boy was attacked by a shark. (Sitthixay Ditthavong/AAP Image via AP)

The tragedy comes amid a surge in shark incidents across Australia. Dozens of beaches were closed this week after four shark attacks in mere days.

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Australia averages roughly 20 shark attacks a year, with fewer than three proving fatal, according to Reuters.

Fox News Digital's Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.

Sophia Compton is a Writer at Fox News Digital. Sophia was previously a business reporter covering finance, energy and tourism and has experience as a TV news producer. She graduated with a journalism degree in 2021 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Boy, 12, dies following shark attack while swimming at popular cliff-jumping spot: 'We are heartbroken'

Boy, 12, dies following shark attack at popular cliff-jumping spot: 'We are heartbroken'

Nico Antic had been hospitalized since Jan. 18 attack in Sydney Harbor

Fox News Flash top headlines for January 24

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