As Nico Antic was brought to safety, witnesses say he held back unimaginable pain to say only three words — a detail friends still can’t forget…

A BRAVE friend of a 12-year-old boy who was mauled by a shark in Sydney Harbour has told how he jumped into bloodied waters to save his mate.

Nico Antic was rock jumping with two friends from a six-metre-high ledge at around 4.20pm when he was attacked by what is believed to be a bull shark.

Nico Antic, 12, who suffered catastrophic injuries to both his legs in horror Nielsen Park shark attackCredit: Gofundme

The horror unfolded at Hermitage Foreshore Walk near Shark Beach in Vaucluse, also known as Nielsen Park.

As the shark lurked nearby, one of Nico’s friends immediately leapt into the water and dragged the injured boy onto the rocks.

Other friends then rushed in to help pull Nico from the harbour before Water Police arrived and rendered first aid.

Nico was rushed by boat to Rose Bay before being taken to Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick with severe leg injuries in a critical condition.

The friend who pulled Nico from the water later spoke about the terrifying rescue.

“He kept fighting and breathing in my arms and he never gave up for a second,” the friend said.

“He’s the most stubborn person I know.”

NSW Police Superintendent Joseph McNulty praised the boys’ bravery in the aftermath.

“The actions of his mates who have gone into the water to pull him out have been nothing but brave, a gallant recovery from his mates,” he said.

“Those young men are brave under those circumstances, and very confronting injuries for those boys to see. But I suppose that’s mateship.”

CCTV footage released by police showed the boys walking through a residential street before the attack and later running back after the shark strike.

Emotional tributes have flooded social media describing Nico as a kind, sporty, fun-loving boy who loved sharing memes that made his friends laugh.

A GoFundMe page was set up to support the Antic family during what was described as an “incredibly difficult time”.

“Despite all efforts, this heartbreaking event has led to the worst possible outcome,” wrote a close friend who started the fundraiser.

“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.”

Another friend of the family, Victor Piñeiro, said Nico had sustained “devastating injuries”.

As of Friday evening, the GoFundMe had reached $224,644 of its $250,000 target.

Despite reports claiming Nico had died, a family member later confirmed he was still alive but would never wake up.

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

The family 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.”

Nico’s football club of seven years, Goal Soccer Academy in Rose Bay, said he was a “talented and dedicated player” who represented the club at tournaments including the Sydney International Cup.

The attack was one of four shark encounters in just days along the NSW coastline.

Just hours later, an 11-year-old boy narrowly escaped injury when a shark ripped a large chunk from his surfboard at Dee Why Point.

That same evening, 27-year-old surfer and musician Andre de Ruyter was dragged underwater during a shark attack at North Steyne Beach in Manly at around 6pm.

He was pulled unconscious from the water by fellow surfers and rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition with life-changing leg injuries.

Less than 24 hours later, 39-year-old surfer Paul Zvirzdinas was knocked from his board and bitten by an “animal” at Point Plomer near Port Macquarie.

He managed to drive himself to Kempsey District Hospital and was later discharged.

The spate of attacks triggered beach closures across Sydney’s northern beaches.

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce issued a stark warning.

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

“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.”

Northern Beaches Council later confirmed beaches would begin reopening ahead of the Australia Day long weekend.

Mayor Sue Heins said conditions were being closely monitored.

“As always the number one message to beachgoers is to swim between the flags, follow the directions of our incredible lifesavers and lifeguards and avoid swimming at dawn and dusk,” she said.

Authorities confirmed more than 30 SMART drumlines were deployed alongside increased aerial surveillance, jet ski patrols and shark listening stations.

Experts analysing the attacks said bull sharks were almost certainly responsible.

Dr Amy Smoothey pointed to the species’ distinctive broad, overlapping triangular teeth.

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

Paramedics at Nielson Park after Nico was rescued from the water by friendsCredit: Ten News Australia

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