A 12-year-old boy who was attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbour has been identified as a talented soccer player – as he remains on life support in hospital.

Nico Antic, 12, was jumping into the water from a six-metre rock ledge at Nielsen Park, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, at about 4.20pm on Sunday when he was mauled by a suspected bull shark.

Both his legs were severely injured in the attack, and he survived only because one of his five friends jumped in and dragged him onto a rock platform, while the predator swam nearby.

Loved ones have now confirmed that Nico’s injuries are catastrophic.

On Tuesday, family friend Victor Pineiro set up a fundraiser to help the family cover expenses.

‘Nico was attacked by a shark on Sunday in Sydney Harbour and sustained life-threatening injuries,’ he said, describing it as the ‘worst possible outcome’.

NSW Police confirmed to the Daily Mail that Nico is alive and in hospital, as of Tuesday afternoon.

Goal Soccer Academy in Rose Bay wrote on social media that Nico had been playing with them for seven years.

Nico Antic, 12, was swimming with five friends at Nielson Park on Sunday afternoon when he was attacked by a bull shark
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Nico Antic, 12, was swimming with five friends at Nielson Park on Sunday afternoon when he was attacked by a bull shark

Nico Antic was a talented soccer player who represented his club in international tournaments

Nico Antic was a talented soccer player who represented his club in international tournaments

Police transported Nico to Rose Bay Wharf before a CareFlight flew him to the Children's Hospital
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Police transported Nico to Rose Bay Wharf before a CareFlight flew him to the Children’s Hospital

‘Nico has been part of the Goal family for seven years, a talented and dedicated sportsman,’ the soccer club said.

The academy also said Nico represented the club in tournaments, including the Sydney International Cup.

Another family friend, Trish, shared a link to the fundraiser on Facebook with the caption: ‘My heart hurts.’

A third family friend said: ‘Please donate. This is a family I know and they are going through an unimaginably hard time.’

Nico was the first victim of four shark attacks on NSW coastlines within the last three days.

On Monday, an 11-year-old boy had an encounter with another shark, which took a large bite out of his surfboard in Dee Why, near Manly in Sydney’s northern suburbs.

That same evening, Andre de Ruyter, 27, was attacked by a bull shark while surfing in Manly, in Sydney’s northern suburbs.

He was rushed to hospital with critical leg injuries.

Pictured: Andre de Ruyter, who was attacked by a shark in Manly
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Pictured: Andre de Ruyter, who was attacked by a shark in Manly

Pictured: A map of the shark attacks on the NSW coast between Sunday and Tuesday
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Pictured: A map of the shark attacks on the NSW coast between Sunday and Tuesday

On Tuesday, a 39‑year‑old was attacked at Point Plomer on the NSW Mid North Coast.

The shark bit through the man’s wetsuit and took a chunk out of his board. He reportedly drove himself to Kempsey District Hospital.

Police have now urged people not to swim in murky, low‑visibility water after bucketing rain drenched Sydney and its surroundings at the weekend.

Extra fresh water in the harbour after recent heavy rain, combined with the splashing effect from people jumping off a rock face, created a ‘perfect storm’ for Sunday’s shark attack, Superintendent Joseph McNulty said.

‘I would recommend not swimming in the harbour or our other river systems across NSW at this time,’ he told reporters before the Dee Why incident was reported.