The family of 27-year-old surfer and musician Andre de Ruyter has issued a sobering update on his condition following a brutal shark attack at North Steyne Beach near Manly, Sydney, on the evening of January 19, 2026. While he was miraculously pulled from the water and stabilized after losing nearly all his blood, his loved ones have shared that “he was saved, but things are not the same anymore,” highlighting the profound and lasting impact of the mauling that left him fighting for his life.

The attack occurred amid an unprecedented spate of four shark incidents along the New South Wales coast within just 48 hours, including the tragic death of 12-year-old Nico Antic from injuries sustained in a separate encounter. De Ruyter, described by friends and family as a talented musician from Wollongong and a passionate member of the Austinmer Surf Club, was surfing at North Steyne—popular for its breaks but now closed in the wake of the attacks—when a suspected bull shark struck his right leg with devastating force.

Eyewitness accounts paint a terrifying picture of the moments that unfolded. Fellow surfers, including Ash Bowler and Eduardo Botty, heard de Ruyter’s desperate screams: “It’s eating me! It’s killing me!” and “No joke, no joke!” as the shark latched on and shook him violently. They rushed to his aid, prying the animal off and towing him to shore in what one rescuer likened to a scene from a horror movie. A stroke of luck proved crucial: a passerby who happened to be a trauma doctor was on the beach and immediately applied a tourniquet, stemming the catastrophic blood loss. De Ruyter had lost so much blood that his survival odds were estimated at just 5 percent in the initial hours. Paramedics and hospital staff described the emergency transfusion process as an “F1 pit stop,” pumping in massive volumes of blood to stabilize him.

Surgeons later amputated part of his lower right leg due to the severity of the injuries and tissue damage. He was initially listed in critical condition and placed on life support, but updates indicate progress: he has been moved to a stable condition in hospital, with his mother publicly thanking first responders, lifeguards, and medical teams for their heroic efforts. In a family statement shared via social media and local outlets like the Manly Observer, she expressed deep gratitude while acknowledging the ongoing road ahead. “We would like to express our gratitude to all the brave first responders to our son Andre relating to the shark attack at Manly Beach,” the message read, accompanied by a photo of him in recovery. The family has emphasized his resilience and spirit, noting his love for surfing and music, but the update carries an undertone of realism—the amputation and trauma mean life will never return to what it was before.

The incident has left many shaken, not only due to the graphic details but also the rarity and clustering of the attacks. Experts attribute the surge to factors like recent heavy rains flushing nutrients into coastal waters, attracting baitfish and, in turn, sharks closer to shore. Bull sharks, known for their aggressive behavior and ability to tolerate freshwater, are suspected in several cases. Beaches across Sydney’s northern suburbs were temporarily closed, with authorities urging swimmers to exercise extreme caution or opt for pools amid heightened risk.

De Ruyter’s story stands out for the community response and sheer luck involved in his survival. Fellow surfers’ quick actions, combined with the on-site medical intervention, turned what could have been a fatal encounter into one of endurance. Yet the family’s words—”he was saved, but…”—resonate deeply, serving as a reminder of the irreversible changes such traumas bring: physical loss, rehabilitation challenges, psychological scars, and adjustments to a new reality for a young man whose passions were deeply tied to the ocean.

As he continues recovery, supporters have rallied around him, with tributes highlighting his positive energy and contributions to the local music and surfing scenes. The broader wave of incidents has reignited debates on shark management, beach safety protocols, and the balance between enjoying Australia’s iconic coastline and mitigating wildlife risks. For de Ruyter’s family and friends, the focus remains on his healing journey—one marked by gratitude for the miracle of survival but tempered by the sobering acknowledgment that some wounds, visible and invisible, will endure long after the rescue.

This harrowing chapter in Sydney’s summer underscores the ocean’s dual nature: a source of joy and freedom for many, yet capable of sudden, life-altering violence. Andre de Ruyter’s survival is a testament to human bravery and medical skill, but his family’s update reminds us that being saved is only the beginning.