Central Coast teen swept out to sea at Norah Head identified
A talented young basketball player whose body was pulled from the water after he and a group of mates were swept off a sand bar at a beach on the state’s Central Coast is being remembered as an “inspiration” and a “wonderful soul”.
A talented 18-year-old basketball player whose body was pulled from the water after he and a group of mates were swept off a sand bar at a beach on the state’s Central Coast is being remembered as an “inspiration” and a “wonderful soul”.
The family and friends of Riahne Louie Vasquez (Chuck) spent all night at Soldiers Beach in Norah Head during search efforts before their hopes were dashed by tragedy, with the congregation running to the water’s edge in despair as the teen was brought to shore.
It followed a major search operation after Mr Vasquez was reported missing while swimming with friends on Sunday night.
Emergency services were called to Norah Head at 8.15pm after reports that four friends, understood to be locals, had been standing on a sandbar off Soldiers Beach Surf Life Saving Club when it collapsed.
A 16-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man managed to make it back to shore, while the two others were swept into deeper water.
Two surfers were able to pull one of the men to safety, but Mr Vasquez was carried out to sea.
Police from the Tuggerah Lakes Police District, along with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Marine Area Command and Marine Rescue NSW searched until 11.30pm. Foot patrols of the foreshore were maintained throughout the night.
The co-ordinated air, land and sea search resumed about 7am on Monday.
At about 10.45am on Monday, a body was located by police divers.
While a formal identification process is yet to be completed, the body is believed to be that of Mr Vasquez and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
The teen, a talented basketball player on the Central Coast, recently competed in The Filipino Student Council of NSW’s Tulong Liga, where he was praised as an outstanding athlete in the competition in online local sports media.
His Facebook profile shows several videos of spectacular slam dunks and other basketball moves.
Mr Vasquez, a graduate of Wyong High School, also competed for the Ultimate Basketball League (UBL), a high-talent pathway program developed by the Parramatta Basketball Association and endorsed by Basketball Australia.
Last year he travelled to the United States to compete in a junior competition.
In the wake of his tragic death several friends and family members paid tribute to the teen, calling him a “wonderful soul”.
“Rest in peace brother,” one friend wrote.
“You were my inspiration,” another added.
His cousin Rae Victor Vasquez wrote a lengthy tribute on Facebook in Filipino which was translated, saying “it’s really hard to lose a cousin who is close to my heart”.
“Since we were young, you’ve always been my most reliable cousin,” he said.
He said he was filled with regret that during a recent visit Mr Vasquez had made to his home country “we didn’t bond” and “I’m sorry”.
“Love you Chuck. We will play together in the afterlife, rest in paradise.”
Mr Vasquez’s father, Romeo, owns a car detailing business in Watanobbi on the Central Coast, just 25 minutes drive from where the tragedy occurred.
The teen’s heartbroken parents and his sister were seen grieving at the surf club after the body was found.
In happier times late last year, the family took a trip to the Gold Coast, where in a photo they can be seen smiling on a high rise balcony in Surfers Paradise overlooking the ocean.
Detective Superintendent Chad Gillies said it was a traumatic time for Mr Vasquez’s family and they would not be making comment at this time.
Two months ago, a man in his 50s died at Soldiers Beach after being pulled unconscious from the water.
Earlier this year in March, a man in his 70s died on the same beach after suffering a suspected medical episode in the surf before he collapsed on the sand.
Originally published as Central Coast teen swept out to sea at Norah Head identified
