Air and sea search for 15-year-old boy swept off a rock shelf at NSW’s North Avoca Beach
A 15-year-old boy is believed to have been swept off a rock shelf at North Avoca Beach in NSW on Tuesday and an air and sea search has begun to find him.
A full search and rescue operation will resume early on Wednesday for a missing 15-year-old boy who was reportedly swept off a rock shelf at North Avoca Beach on the NSW Central Coast.
Two helicopters were circling the area on Tuesday afternoon with NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and local volunteers also working to find the teenager after emergency services were called to the beach at around 3pm on Tuesday.
The search was expected to resume soon after dawn on Wednesday if the boy had not been found.
Surf Lifesaving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce issued a warning about risky behaviour in the water over the Christmas period.
“We’re already seeing these major incidents come through, which are devastating for many families at this time of year,” he said.
“We want everyone to return to their families and to do that we plead with you to please think before you take risks.”
A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Terrigal was assisting with the search, under the command of NSW Police Marine Area Command.
The water conditions are reported to be choppy with a 2.5m to 3m swell.
“Five Marine Rescue NSW vessels and volunteers from the Terrigal, Norah Head, Tuggerah Lakes and Central Coast units assisted (the) multi-agency search for a missing child at The Entrance before being stood down for the day this afternoon,” Marine Rescue said
The Terrigal and Norah Head crews were asked by NSW Police to continue the search at 8am.
Central Coast Councillor Jared Wright said “The thoughts of our community are with the young man and his family during this difficult time. I understand that emergency responders will continue the search early tomorrow morning on Christmas Day. On behalf of our community, I want to thank each and every one of them.
“For those visiting our beaches across the summer and particularly over the holiday period, please remember to be safe in and around the water. Swim between the flags, swim with a friend where you can and always let someone else know where you are going.”
A police spokesman told The Daily Telegraph the search included Brisbane Water Police District, the Marine Area Command, Westpac Rescue, NSW Ambulance and Surf Life Saving NSW.
Jet skis had been brought in and police officers were patrolling the nearby cliffs looking for signs.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of hazardous surf conditions along the NSW Hunter, Sydney and Illawarra coasts.
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