<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A musician who was mauled by a shark in one of the worst spates of attacks seen in a </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="" title="state "><span>state</span></a><span> for years has been taken off life support and is "healing", his family said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Andre de Ruyter, 27, was one of four victims attacked by sharks in 48 hours last month after he was </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/manly-shark-attack-victim-identified/a49c2d75-0a4c-493f-bda2-bb88d9422465" rel="" target="_blank" title="bitten by a suspected bull shark while surfing"><span>bitten by a suspected bull shark while surfing</span></a><span> at North Steyne Beach in Manly in Sydney on January 19.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was rushed in a critical condition to the Royal North Shore Hospital and had his lower right leg amputated. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/missing-fisherman-gold-coast-boat-found-no-one-on-board-seaway-rescue-queensland-news/3e4b2f48-dce8-471e-8794-d60c1b0d2b06" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Search for missing fisherman widens again as it enters day two</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His family today said he is a "survivor".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He's just been able to come off his breathing tube and is healing exceptionally," his family said in a social media post.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The doctors are seeing more positive signs towards his recovery, however say we have a long journey ahead."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/andre-de-ruyter-shark-attack-victim-manly-sydney-off-life-support/72ea435d-bdc8-49e8-a1be-cc1108a307f6" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>His family also thanked those who donated blood, saying he needed 13 bags.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They also posted an image of his hospital wall covered with photos and a photo of his dog, Luna, visiting him.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The family started an online fundraiser for prosthetics and rehabilitation to support his recovery, which has already raised more than $16,900. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Nico Antic was first to be </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/shark-attack-sydney-boy-nico-antic-critical-condition-in-hospital-fears-for-survival/39dfbe09-e402-4a42-a535-33fe2d0f1ee6" rel="" target="_blank" title="attacked by a suspected bull shark"><span>attacked by a suspected bull shark</span></a><span> after jumping off rocks at Neilson Park, near Shark Beach, in Vaucluse on January 18.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/youtuber-speaks-out-after-organising-meetup-that-led-to-stupid-ebike-rideout-on-harbour-bridge-during-peak-hour/fd938e30-e539-4597-ba8f-ff92381d2150" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>YouTuber fined after leading 'downright dangerous' rideout over Harbour Bridge</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/shark-attack-victim-nico-antic-dies-in-hospital-12-dies-in-hospital/197eb532-ac6e-43ca-8532-29dbaee8c831" rel="" target="_blank" title="12-year-old junior lifesaver later died in hospital"><span>12-year-old junior lifesaver later died in hospital</span></a><span>. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Also, 39-year-old </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/point-plomer-shark-attack-surfer-speaks-about-moment-he-was-bitten/de4aa222-ab0c-4137-ae49-b1b653b2d9a5" rel="" target="_blank" title="Paul Zvirzdinas received minor injuries "><span>Paul Zvirzdinas received minor injuries</span></a><span> after his board and wetsuit were bitten by a shark at Point Plomer near Port Macquarie.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The heavy rain caused unusually high levels of freshwater to run through rivers and estuaries into saltwater systems and beaches, creating brackish water.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bull sharks are one of the few species of sharks that can tolerate brackish waters.</span></div></div><div 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