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As news of the attack spread, a fundraiser was launched by close family friend Victor Piñeiro to support Nico’s parents during what was described as an unimaginable crisis. In an update shared on the fundraising page, Piñeiro wrote that despite exhaustive medical efforts, the situation had taken a tragic turn.
He stated that the injuries sustained in the attack led to the “worst possible outcome,” a phrase that immediately sparked widespread concern and grief. The message emphasized the family’s heartbreak and the financial burden they now face, including medical costs and related arrangements. Donations poured in rapidly, with the total climbing to approximately $65,000 within a short period.
The attack did not occur in isolation. It came amid a series of shark encounters along Sydney’s coastline that have raised serious concerns about marine safety. Just kilometers from where Nico was attacked, an 11-year-old boy narrowly escaped serious injury when a large shark bit into his surfboard, ripping a sizable chunk from it and throwing him into the water. His father, who was nearby, managed to help him escape unharmed.
Fragments of the damaged surfboard were later sent to NSW Fisheries for analysis to help identify the species involved. Authorities believe a bull shark was also responsible for that incident.
Later the same day, another attack occurred at Manly Beach, where a man in his twenties was bitten while swimming. He was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital in critical condition. The shark species involved in that incident has not yet been confirmed, though witnesses reported seeing a bull shark approximately 1.5 meters long in the water.
Steven Pearce, chief executive of Surf Life Saving New South Wales, described the near-miss involving the 11-year-old surfer as extraordinarily lucky. He emphasized that the presence of the boy’s father likely prevented a far more serious outcome, calling the situation terrifying and highlighting how quickly such encounters can turn deadly.
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