Friends gather to honour Luca Bennett, lost at North Avoca Beach

A sombre message of tribute has been etched onto a rock face near where a 15-year-old rising basketball star was swept away on Christmas Eve.

“Luca Bennett 2009-2024. Forever 15,” read the words the day after he went missing at North Avoca.

Friends gather on Christmas Day to honour their mate Luca Bennett, who was lost off North Avoca Beach on Tuesday. Credit: James Brickwood

Luca’s friends had gathered at lunchtime on Christmas Day to honour their mate after he and two others were washed off the rocks and into the sea on Tuesday.

His two friends who found their way to safety were among the group.

On Thursday police scaled back their efforts, with the search transitioning to a recovery operation. Luca’s friends and family took to social media to share their loss.

On an Instagram photo of Luca smiling with friends, one person wrote:

“I thank God that me and my family got to be a part of your life … Man I just saw you last week, it breaks my heart so much, 2025 was gonna be big … I love you, I’ll always be here for your family, no matter what.”

The search continued on Wednesday for Luca Bennett.

One of his teammates posted a photo of them on a basketball court, writing: “I’ve had some of the best and funniest memories with you man.”

Luca is a Scots College student and passionate basketballer, social media shows.

He was invited to attend the prestigious US-based Phenom National Camp in July last year in California. Previous alumni from the program include NBA heavyweights Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ja Morant, as well as 200 other NBA and 68 WNBA players. Luca was also part of Basketball NSW’s High-Performance Program designed to prepare young athletes to represent the state at the national championships.

Luca was playing with friends at North Avoca Rocks on Tuesday afternoon when the group was taken into the sea from a rock shelf at about 2.40pm.

His two friends managed to get back on the rocks and raise the alarm with lifesavers, but Bennett disappeared.

According to social media, Luca started high school at Terrigal before joining Scots College.

A newsletter from The Central Coast Academy of Sport shows Luca and his basketball teammates standing together and smiling.

Luca played under-16s basketball for the Norths Bears in Sydney.

“Forever 15”: The friends’ etching at North Avoca.Credit: James Brickwood

While the search continued Wednesday, friends and family posted concerned messages on social media.

Just one week ago, Luca posted a photo on Instagram looking out to the ocean from some rocks, with the caption: “Gettin warmer.”

Luca’s mother’s Facebook posts show her pride in her son’s sporting achievements and days spent with him at art galleries.

District Inspector Benjamin Campbell said on Wednesday that rescuers hadn’t been able to locate Luca.

Rescuers at North Avoca Beach search for the missing boy on Wednesday.Credit: James Brickwood

“It’s a very tragic incident, and I feel for the family at this time of year. It’s just a timely reminder of how dangerous the rocks can be around the ocean and how everyone has to be really careful about what’s going on around there,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to [the family]. They’re obviously very upset at the moment, and they’re dealing with what they can.”

Surf Rescue duty officer Matt Slattery said Wednesday’s search was focused on where the boy was last seen and would continue until dark.

“The surf is definitely not flat, but the training and the experience and the team, they’re more than capable of performing in these conditions,” Slattery said.

Talented basketballer Luca Bennett (left) with a friend.Credit: Instagram

North Avoca local Jason Hicks said he witnessed attempts to rescue Luca minutes after the group was swept off the rocks.

“The boys who managed to get out were visibly upset, a couple of surfers were as well. And there was one guy who tried to jump in and rescue [the boy] and he was visibly beside himself,” Hicks said.

“I didn’t really do anything, there was nothing to do really, it just happened so quick I think, but all the services were here in a matter of minutes. It was just incredible how fast they responded, and all the surf lifesavers were unbelievable jumping in and trying to find him.”

Hicks said this was a rare occurrence for the “very tight-knit” North Avoca community.

“I actually spoke with [the family] this morning, because I was sort of standing down there and they’re just beside themselves. Just lovely, lovely, local people, and we’re just such a tight-knit community here ... It’s just such a sad day for North Avoca.”

Jason Hicks, who lives near where Luca Bennett went missing at North Avoca.Credit: Billie Eder

NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, local surf lifesavers and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service were involved in the search, which was paused after 8pm on Tuesday before continuing on Wednesday.

Local surf lifesavers, marine rescue and water police, as well as the Surf Life Saving NSW drone team began looking again for the boy at first light before the search was paused just before 5pm.

Twenty volunteer surf rescue workers were involved and four paid council lifeguards searched around the rock shelf with three jetskis, while a diver searched near the rocks. The search will resume at first light on Thursday, police said.

With Cindy Yin and Nigel Gladstone

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