Frantic search for teenager Luca Bennett swept off rocks at North Avoca Beach
A 15-year-old boy who went missing off the coast of North Avoca on Christmas Eve has been identified as Scots student Luca Bennett.
NSW
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A 15-year-old boy who was washed off rocks at North Avoca Beach on Christmas Eve has been identified as Central Coast teenager Luca Bennett.
The teenager was playing with friends at North Avoca Rocks on Tuesday afternoon when the group was washed into the water.
Police hold grave fears for Luca who has been missing since 2.40pm yesterday.
Brisbane Water Police District officer, Inspector Ben Campbell said the three boys were on the rocks when they were hit by a wave.
“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,” Insp Campbell said.
He said it was a “tragic incident” while paying respect to the boy’s family “at this time of the year”.
When asked how the family was feeling, Insp Campbell said they were “very upset” and “dealing 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.”
Online, tributes are flowing for the teenager who attended The Scots College and was a promising young basketballer.
“Rest easy Luca, gone way too soon. Your energy will live on,” commented one user in an Instagram story.
“Rest in peace my guy, we will miss you,” said another.
Emergency services were called to North Avoca Beach about 3pm on Tuesday after the 15-year-old was reported missing.
A local named John told The Daily Telegraph the kids were playing on the rocks at about 3pm on Tuesday afternoon.
He was unsure whether they were swept off the rocks or jumped off the rocks, but “knew something had gone wrong when the jet skis had shown up.”
On social media, friends and loved ones have begun sharing tributes to the boy, who was a promising basketballer who played for NSW.
Brisbane Water Police District officers, Marine Area Command, NSW Ambulance, Surf Life Saving NSW and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were involved in a search of the area on Tuesday. However, they were unable to find Luca.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond said crews searched for about two and a half hours before they were told to stand down at 7pm, with the search tipped to resume on Christmas morning.
They resumed their search this morning; however have been unable to locate the boy.
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