Search enters third day for 18-year-old Sydney schoolies student missing off mid-north coast

The search for a Sydney student who is suspected to have drowned while on a schoolies trip has been partially called off due to wild surf, as the classmates he recently graduated with have been urged to “hold him in their hearts”.

The search for an 18-year-old who vanished on a schoolies trip from a Mid-North Coast beach is ongoing despite Marine Rescue calling of their efforts due to deteriorating conditions.

Family and friends of a Sydney teenager suspected to have drowned on a Schoolies trip have rushed to the mid-north coast beach where he vanished, hoping for a miracle, as wild surf hampered the search.

Astin Gerstl’s former schoolmates have also been urged to “hold him in their hearts” as the 18-year-old remained missing, having been swept away while swimming at the unpatrolled Little Bay Beach, near South West Rocks, on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Gerstl, who recently completed his HSC at The King’s School in North Parramatta, is understood to have been away on a trip up the coast with friends when tragedy struck.

Acting headmaster Stephen Edwards sent a school-wide letter to families on Tuesday afternoon, saying “our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this profoundly difficult time”.

“The school is in contact with the family and will continue to provide support, while respecting their request for privacy,” he said.

“We also recognise the impact this news may have on our students, staff, and families.

“Support services are available to the Class of 2025 and to any member of our community who may need assistance. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your housemaster if you require help.

“As the search continues, I ask that you keep the family in your prayers and hold them in your hearts.”

The King’s School student Astin Gerstl has been missing since Sunday.

Little Bay Beach at Arakoon on Tuesday. Picture: Shelley Brauer.

The school’s message came as “deteriorating offshore conditions” forced Marine Rescue NSW to suspend its search for Mr Gerstl.

Volunteers on two boats had resumed their search about 8am on Tuesday, only to be forced to withdraw three-and-a-half hours later.

“Unfortunately, conditions have worsened across the morning,” Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Courtney Greenslade said.

“Our volunteer crews battled a 25- to 30-knot south-westerly and a 1.5-metre swell, which is increasing.

“It has become quite uncomfortable, making it extremely challenging for our volunteers.

“Both vessels have now left the main search area.”

Little Bay Beach at Arakoon in the Mid North Coast on Tuesday. Picture: Shelley Brauer

However, surf lifesavers and police, including divers, battled on.

NSW Police Inspector Peter Walton said they would continue as long as conditions allowed on Tuesday night.

“We have highly skilled police divers that are trained in those conditions but obviously have to operate safely,” he said.

“There’s a lot of currents and a lot of turbulence in that water.

“We don’t want to have any further incidents while we are conducting the search.”

Police are continuing the search.

The teen was last seen in the surf at Little Bay Beach in Arakoon on Sunday.

While the beach has remained open since Mr Gerstl’s disappearance it has been largely deserted, though some friends and members have rushed to the area and watched on as the search progressed.

“I have been in conversation with the family and you can imagine how they are feeling,” Insp Walton said.

“It’s a tragedy for them. They are holding up as best as they can and we are keeping them updated.”

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Originally published as Search enters third day for 18-year-old Sydney schoolies student missing off mid-north coast