South West Rocks: Witnesses describe trying to save Kaison Greaves, 9, trapped between rocks

Distraught witnesses created a human chain, while others held the hands of nine-year-old Kaison Greaves, trapped between rocks at a north coast beach, as rescuers tried desperately, but unsuccessfully, to free him.

• ‘Worst Easter weekend’ on record as six die

Witnesses to a freak beach tragedy have recounted how they created a human chain in an attempt to winch a boy to safety after he became stuck between two rocks and died while on holiday with his family.

Kaison Greaves, 9, was swimming at South West Rocks on Easter Sunday, when bystanders said he slipped into a crevice while climbing on a section of the beach area known as the boulders.

The boy’s tragic death was one of six fatalities in the water across NSW over the long weekend, with authorities describing it as the “worst Easter death toll in memory”.

David and Brook Greaves and their two sons were visiting the north coast from Queensland, and had been enjoying Easter at the beach when the accident happened.

The couple held their boy’s hand and watched on in despair as rescuers worked for two hours to free Kai, who died at the scene, shortly before 5.30pm.

Kaison Greaves, 9, died after become trapped in a crevice between rocks at a north coast beach on Easter Sunday. Pictyure: Supplied

Kaison Greaves became trapped in rocks off South West Rocks on the mid north coast of NSW. Picture: Richard Dobson

Kai’s father David said the family was heartbroken by the freak accident, and paid tribute to his eldest boy.

“He was an adventurer, strong-willed and incredibly funny, and always had a cheeky grin,” he said in a statement.

Witness Laura Serduk said Kai was playing with a group of kids, including hers, and “having the time of his life”, when he fell “too far down to reach”.

She described the frantic scenes as one group of children ran to the surf club to raise the alarm, while others stayed behind and helped some beachgoers who sprung to action to try and winch out the trapped boy.

“They used the smaller kids as rope … they got a small kid and lowered him down into the crack so the little boy that was stuck could grab onto his feet and they could pull him out, but they couldn’t reach far enough down to him,” Ms Serduk said.

Local footballer Hakeem Torrens was among beachgoers to rush over and try to help Kai, even remaining there for two hours while emergency crews tried valiantly to free the boy.

A beach tribute to Kaison Greaves, 9, who died after becoming stuck between rocks off the shoreline at South West Rocks. Picture: ABC

“From the very first moment I saw him to the very last moment his body knew it was time to let go, I did absolutely everything in my power to save him,” Mr Torrens said.

NSW Police Inspector Peter Walton said the Kai’s death was a tragedy, in an area “a number of kids play on every day”.

Large swell, hit across the Easter long weekend swell, creating hazardous conditions. Pictured is Coogee Beach on Good Friday. Picture: Nikki Short

“Indications are it is nothing but a tragic misadventure which has resulted in the loss of a young child and unimaginable grief for the family,” he said.

“I can only imagine what the family was going through watching it all unfold … it was a very difficult situation for all that were involved.”

At the beach on Monday, devastated locals created a large heart on the sand made from floral tributes.

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steven Pearce said the death toll in the water over the long weekend made it the “worst Easter on record”.

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Originally published as South West Rocks: Witnesses describe trying to save Kaison Greaves, 9, trapped between rocks