Andre de Ruyter, 27, was one of four victims attacked by sharks in 48 hours last month after he was bitten by a suspected bull shark while surfing at North Steyne Beach in Manly on January 19.
A musician who was mauled by a shark in one of the worst spates of attacks seen in a state for years has been taken off life support and is “healing”, his family said.

After being rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital in critical condition, he underwent surgery to amputate his lower right leg.

Andre de Ruyter, 27, was one of four victims attacked by sharks in 48 hours last month after he was bitten by a suspected bull shark while surfing at North Steyne Beach in Manly on January 19.
Andre de Ruyter, 27, was one of four victims attacked by sharks in 48 hours last month after he was bitten by a suspected bull shark while surfing at North Steyne Beach in Manly on January 19. (GoFundMe)

His family has described him as a “survivor” in a recent update.

“He’s just managed to come off the breathing tube and is showing remarkable healing,” his family shared on social media.

“Doctors are noticing more positive signs in his recovery, although they caution that a long journey lies ahead.”

The family expressed gratitude to blood donors, noting he required 13 bags of blood.

They also shared an image of his hospital wall adorned with photos, including one of his dog, Luna, visiting him.

The family started an online fundraiser for prosthetics and rehabilitation to support his recovery, which has already raised more than $16,900. 

Andre de Ruyter, 27, was one of four victims attacked by sharks in 48 hours last month after he was bitten by a suspected bull shark while surfing at North Steyne Beach in Manly in Sydney on January 19.
Andre de Ruyter is a musician on the South Coast. (Instagram)

In the 48 hours that followed, Ruyter was bitten by a suspected bull shark, the same day as an 11-year-old boy’s surfboard was bitten by a shark at Dee Why Beach.

The attacks were attributed to previous wild weather considered a “once-in-a-500-year event”, which created the perfect environment for bull sharks to lurk in coastal waters around Sydney and wider NSW.

The heavy rain caused unusually high levels of freshwater to run through rivers and estuaries into saltwater systems and beaches, creating brackish water.

Bull sharks are one of the few species of sharks that can tolerate brackish waters.

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