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.

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.

He was rushed in a critical condition to the Royal North Shore Hospital and had his lower right leg amputated.

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 today said he is a “survivor”.

“He’s just been able to come off his breathing tube and is healing exceptionally,” his family said in a social media post.

“The doctors are seeing more positive signs towards his recovery, however say we have a long journey ahead.”

His family also thanked those who donated blood, saying he needed 13 bags.

They also posted an image of his hospital wall covered with photos and a photo 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.

Nico Antic was first to be attacked by a suspected bull shark after jumping off rocks at Neilson Park, near Shark Beach, in Vaucluse on January 18.

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)

The 12-year-old junior lifesaver later died in hospital.

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.

Also, 39-year-old Paul Zvirzdinas received minor injuries after his board and wetsuit were bitten by a shark at Point Plomer near Port Macquarie.

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.