Body found after teen swept off rocks on NSW’s Central Coast
The mother of a 15-year-old boy swept off the rocks at a beach on Christmas Eve has paid tribute to her ‘beautiful’ son after police found his body.
Police have located the body of missing 15-year-old Luca Bennett, who was swept off the rocks and out to sea on the NSW Central Coast on Christmas Eve.
Emergency services were called to North Avoca Beach about 12pm Friday following reports a body had been located in the water.
A spokesperson for NSW Police confirmed an “operation is ongoing to recover the body”.
While the remains are yet to be formally identified, the spokesperson said they are “believed to be that of the missing boy” who was swept off the rocks on North Avoca Beach on Tuesday afternoon.
The teenager was at North Avoca Beach with two friends when they were hit by a wave and pushed into the water, with his friends able to get out and raise the alarm with lifeguards.
A large-scale search effort was launched on Tuesday afternoon and into Wednesday, but police confirmed on Thursday morning that it had become a recovery operation.
On Friday afternoon, the teenager's mother, Michelle Bennett, confirmed the tragic news.
“Beautiful Luca J had been found,” she wrote online.
“Dolphins were circling Nth Avoca rocks since 5am this morning.
“The ocean lifted him up onto the rocks.
“The incredible team from our Surf Clubs, Police and marine rescue, paramedics are retrieving him for us.
“We can’t ever begin to explain our immense gratitude to them and all of our family, friends and community. We love you.”
Central Coast councillor Jared Wright also shared a tribute to the missing teenager.
“It is a sad day for The Central Coast community,” he said.
“However, it is inspiring to see the strong and ongoing support from local residents across the region for the family during this difficult period.
“Our thoughts remain with his family and friends, as well as the broader North Avoca and Central Coast communities.”
A fundraiser has now been launched for the family, aiming to ease their financial burden as they try to find their son.
In an emotional plea, Emma Power said she was organising the fundraiser on behalf of Luca’s family and extended family who were “coping as best they can, together”.
“They are so grateful for the outpouring of love from our community, and the rescue teams that continue the search to bring Luca home to them to rest,” she wrote.
“Please donate what you can to help to ease the financial burden of what lies ahead. Let the family concentrate on bringing him home.”
The campaign had received more than $84,000 from 1,100 people as of Friday afternoon, exceeding the initial target of $50,000.
“We are truly devastated for the tragic loss of Luca and our love and thoughts are with his family and friends,” one donor wrote.
Following the announcement that the search for Luca was being scaled back, tributes began to flow online for the teenager, who is understood to be a basketballer and student at The Scots College.
Ms Power described the 15-year-old as “a friend to many” who had “a twinkle in his eye” and a boisterous, infectious laugh.
“He was a talented basketballer, and always gave his time to shoot around with younger athletes, and loved a scrimmage against the older boys,” she wrote.
“That’s the thing about Luca – everyone loved being around him, and you always walked away with a full heart and a smile on your face.”
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