Sydney Harbour shark attack: police warn against swimming and say heavy rain created ‘perfect storm’ before boy bitten

Police praise fast actions and bravery of boy’s friends as he faces ‘fight for his life’ in hospital

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A 12-year-old boy is in for the “fight of his life” after being attacked by a large shark while swimming in Sydney Harbour on Sunday afternoon.

New South Wales police said the boy was jumping off a popular rock ledge near Nielsen park in Sydney’s east about 4.20pm on Sunday with friends when the attack, possibly by a bull shark, took place.