“Worst possible outcome”: Family of 12-year-old shark attack victim speaks through friend

The family of a 12-year-old boy who was attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbour are coming to terms with the  “worst possible outcome” for their son.

Nico Antic, who was weeks away from turning 13, was injured after jumping from a six-metre rock with two friends in Vaucluse about 4.20pm on Sunday.

He was rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick with severe leg injuries and was in a critical condition.

A family friend has since created a GoFundMe page to support Nico’s family during an “incredibly difficult time”.

“Tragically, their beloved child, Nico, was attacked by a shark on Sunday in Sydney Harbour and sustained devastating injuries,” the friend wrote.

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

“Any contribution, no matter the size, would be deeply appreciated and will help ease the financial burden as they grieve.”

The family friend told 7NEWS.com.au Nico was a “very sporty” boy who was “lovely, always happy, loved his relatives and was great at telling jokes”.

NSW Police Superintendent Joseph McNulty said investigators believed a bull shark was responsible for biting Nico’s lower legs.

He commended one of Nico’s friends for entering the water to pull him back onto the rock.

“That mate was extremely brave, going into brackish water with the unknown factor of a shark still hanging around,” McNulty said.

The incident is one of four shark attacks reported along the NSW coastline since Sunday.

Just hours after Nico was attacked, an 11-year-old boy escaped injury when a shark bit through his surfboard at Dee Why Point on Monday morning.

Later that day, a 27-year-old surfer was dragged underwater during a shark attack at Manly Beach shortly after 6pm.

He was pulled unconscious from the water by fellow surfers and taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition.

Less than 24 hours later, a 39-year-old surfer was reportedly bitten by an “animal” while in the water at Point Plomer Beach, south of Crescent Head, on Tuesday.

He was able to drive himself to Kempsey District Hospital and has since been discharged.

All beaches across Sydney’s northern beaches region have since been closed in response to the attacks.

Images: GoFundMe