‘Devastating injuries’: Boy, 12, mauled by shark in Sydney Harbour named as he fights for life alongside musician attacked in Manly

The young boy mauled by a shark in Sydney Harbour has been named as 12-year-old Nico Antic who is currently fighting for life in hospital. Nico was attacked by a suspected bull shark while rock jumping with his friends at Hermitage Foreshore Walk near Shark Beach, in Vaucluse, about 4.20pm on Sunday. Sydney musician Andre de Ruyter is also in a critical condition after he was attacked by a shark at about 6.20pm in Manly on Monday. In a GoFundMe drive, family friend Victor Piñeiro said it was a “difficult time” for the Antic family. “Despite all efforts, this heartbreaking event has led to the worst possible outcome,” Mr Piñeiro, the organiser of the fundraiser, wrote. “We are raising funds to help the Antic family cover upcoming expenses and related arrangements during this incredibly difficult time. “Any contribution, no matter the size, would be deeply appreciated and will help ease the financial burden as they grieve. All funds will be donated to the Antic family.” Paramedics who responded to Mr de Ruyter reported he was in cardiac arrest upon arrival, requiring a high-speed police escort to deliver 13 units of blood for a mid-transit transfusion. “We had two police highway patrol cars that met at Spit Bridge, and then what they said was almost like an F1 pit stop of 10 seconds less and they just opened the door, and they administered 13 units of blood,” NSW Ambulance acting Superintendent Christie Marks revealed. The acting Superintendent said the quick thinking beachgoers and surf-lifesavers were crucial in keeping the man alive. “The patient was treated by a number of people before we got there, which was amazing,” she said. “The surf lifesavers, the people who were in the water with the patient, applied a tourniquet to the patient before we arrived.” Fourth shark attack reported The fourth shark attack in 48 hours has been confirmed on the NSW Mid North Coast. A 39-year-old surfer sustained minor injuries at Point Plomer on Tuesday morning when a shark bit through his board. Witnesses reported several bull sharks in the area at the time of the encounter. Authorities have since deployed surveillance drones and closed beaches between Port Macquarie and Crescent Head. Horrific footage shows moment surfer attacked Footage of Mr de Ruyter’s attack has emerged showing how he was dragged underwater by a shark while riding the waves. Surf cameras captured the moment heroic swimmers dragged the 27-year-old surfer back to the surface, where he was treated by paramedics and transported to Royal North Shore Hospital. ‘Amazing’: Surfers’ praised Two lifesavers who pulled the 27-year-old from the water told Sunrise they immediately applied a rope as a tourniquet on his legs. “We all pulled him out of the water and yeah … it wasn’t a good scene,” they said. “We got him in and we tourniquet him and we’re all just trying to keep him awake and keep him alive. Just do what we could for him.” Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, NSW Ambulance Christie Marks said the actions taken by the other swimmers was “amazing”. The surfer was suffering cardiac arrest and lost a significant amount of blood by the time paramedics arrived. “The patient received 13 units of blood on the way to hospital,” she said. “The Highway Patrol were able to meet us en route to Royal North Shore Hospital and give us extra blood that we needed on the way. “So this is something that doesn’t happen a lot and that was something that is going to give him the best chance of surviving.” Two off-duty doctors were also on the scene. NSW Life Saving chief executive officer Steve Pearce said lifesavers were undergoing CPR training at the time of the incident. “They were able to immediately leave the building, get onto the beach, take the defibrillators, take the sharp tourniquet kits, and get down there, apply a tourniquet, and commence CPR,” he said. ‘Beaches are unsafe’: Dire warning to swimmers Following the spate of horror attacks, beaches along the NSW North Coast have been shut for 48 hours. Mr Pearce said three bull shark attacks in 26 hours was “unprecedented”. ”We have not seen this before,” he said. Swimmers and surfers keen to visit the beach along NSW’s North Coast have been urged to reconsider taking a dip in the water as hazardous conditions continue to unfold. Due to the significant rainfall hitting Sydney over the weekend, the sea became brackish, which are “prime conditions for bull shark activity”. Helicopters will monitor 10 beaches up and down the coast over the next 48 hours to watch for more shark activity. “The beaches are closed,” he said. “The beaches are unsafe with these conditions. We’re asking people please ensure your own personal safety.”