Body found in search for missing boy swept off Central Coast beach

A body has been found in the desperate search for an 11-year-old boy swept off a notorious Central Coast beach during a fishing trip with his family.

Laith Alaid was washed into the water at The Entrance about 5.15pm on Sunday while crossing the channel with his father, 43, and three younger brothers, aged nine, seven and three.

Laith Alaid was swept off a notorious Central Coast beach while on a fishing trip with his family.

His disappearance sparked a large land, air, and sea search extending 20 kilometres south to Avoca.

Rescuers scoured the ocean on Sunday night and during daylight hours on Monday and Tuesday before calling off the search at 4pm.

Tuggerah Lakes Police District, Marine Area Command and Surf Life Saving NSW continued regular patrols on Wednesday before emergency services were called to The Entrance about 2.30pm following reports a body had been sighted in the water.

Laith’s traumatised father clutches onto one of his other children after unsuccessful attempts to rescue his eldest son.Credit: Seven News

Police believe it to be Laith’s body, although it is yet to be identified.

On Monday, Inspector David Piddington said the family, who had recently moved from Iraq to Granville in Sydney’s west, were visiting the Central Coast and had been fishing before the incident.

The family were crossing the channel around low tide.

Lifeguards consider the channel, which connects Tuggerah Lakes to the ocean, to be one of the region’s “black spots”.

Witnesses said the boy disappeared under the waves in “minutes” after being washed off its northern side, with Laith’s father trying desperately to save his son.

Police and Marine Rescue NSW were involved in the multi-agency search.Credit: Marine Rescue NSW

“We noticed a little boy in the waves with his arm up and the next minute, the boy was gone. We just couldn’t see him,” Sarah Bailey told Nine News on Monday.

“The poor dad just was hysterical and threw himself on the ground, screaming out, and one of the older boys came to him and they both just collapsed to the ground and were crying.”

Surf Life Saving Central Coast chief executive Michael Hyslop said strong currents and outgoing tides made the area dangerous for swimmers.

“It’s one of our black spots on the Central Coast,” he said. “It’s a big no-swim zone for us. It’s a very dangerous spot.”

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the boy’s family said it was “deeply moved” by the community support it had received.

“We remain hopeful, and we ask the community to stay vigilant for anything that might assist in the search,” the family said.

“Thank you to all the volunteers, emergency services and members of the Central Coast community who have selflessly dedicated their time and resources to search efforts.”

The family asked for privacy.

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