Recovery mission replaces search for teenager Luca Bennett swept off rocks at North Avoca Beach
The search for 15-year-old Luca Bennett, swept off the rocks at North Avoca Beach on Christmas Eve, has shifted to a recovery operation as authorities scale back resources.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The search for a missing teenage boy swept into the ocean at North Avoca Beach on Christmas Eve has now shifted to a recovery operation.
Emergency services announced the change early on Thursday morning following expert advice, with efforts now focused on recovering the body of 15-year-old Luca Bennett. Resources will be scaled back as the operation enters its third day.
A promising teen basketballer, Luca was playing with friends on the rocks at North Avoca Beach when he was hit by a rogue wave and swept out to sea in a horror Christmas tragedy.
Police have grave concerns for the teenager, who has been missing since he was struck by a wave and washed into the ocean at 2.40pm on Christmas Eve.
Two of the friends managed to climb back onto the rocks; but Luca disappeared beneath the water.
The terrified teens tried to save their friend, calling lifeguards for help.
Police, ambulance, surf lifesavers and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter searched desperately until nightfall on Tuesday before resuming their search at 5:45am on Christmas Day.
Tributes are flowing for The Central Coast teen online, who is remembered as a promising sports star who attended The Scots College in Bellevue Hill and represented NSW in under-age basketball.
“Rest easy Luca, gone way too soon. Your energy will live on,” commented one user on Instagram.
“Rest in peace my guy, we will miss you,” said another.
More than a dozen of Luca’s friends met up at North Avoca Surf Club on Christmas Day, before making their way over to the rocks where he was last seen.
The group embraced on the rocks, sharing hugs as a few boys began carving his name into the rock face.
“Luca Bennett 2009-2024 FOREVER 15.”
In a press conference, Brisbane Water Police District Inspector Inspector Ben Campbell described the event as tragic.
“Two of the 15-year-olds have been able to get out of the water but a third hasn’t been able to. His two friends raised the alarm with nearby lifeguards … but they have been unable to rescue the boy,” Mr Campbell said.
“It’s a very tragic incident, I feel for the family at this time of year. It is a timely reminder of how dangerous the rocks can be around the ocean and how everyone has to be really careful.”
Mr Campbell said Luca’s family were “very upset” and “dealing with what they can”.
Surf Life Saving District Duty Officer Matt Slattery said crews were doing “their absolute best” and they were hoping for a positive outcome.
“Our message has been and always will be that the flagged locations are the safest place to swim,” he said.
“If you are in need of help, that’s the closest resource that we can get to.”
In a separate incident, just 15 minutes south of Avoca Beach, another man fell off a rock face, requiring emergency rescue.
Emergency services were called to Winnie Bay at Copacabana after a man in his 30s fell several metres onto a rockshelf, suffering several fractures.
The man was winched out by helicopter rescue and taken to Royal North Shore Hospital.
More Coverage
Originally published as Recovery mission replaces search for teenager Luca Bennett swept off rocks at North Avoca Beach
‘That is a first’: Gladys makes rare political return
Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has made a rare appearance, throwing her support behind a tech executive looking to beat high-profile anti-Voice campaigner Warren Mundine.
Accelerant used in Synagogue attack, police on the hunt for two
The NSW Police counter terrorism unit is leading a probe into vandalism across two Sydney synagogues, which has been deemed a “serious escalation” of anti-Semitic crime.