Fears grow for missing teen swept off rocks at NSW beach as search continues for second day
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Two friends of the 15-year-old who managed to swim to shore after being caught in same wave alerted authorities shortly after 3pm on Tuesday. Fears are growing for a missing teenager as rescue teams continue a search effort more than a day after he was swept off a rock shelf at a New South Wales beach on Christmas Eve.
Jetskis and helicopters were deployed in the area around North Avoca beach as part of the search that included Surf Life Saving NSW, ambulances, police, and local surf life-savers, after two friends of the 15-year-old – having managed to swim to shore after being swept by the same wave – alerted authorities shortly after 3pm on Tuesday.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email. On Tuesday evening, emergency services, including police and surf life savers, searched for about five-and-a-half hours before darkness fell, with efforts resuming on Christmas Day. Helicopters have been circling the area, while police and surf life-saver crews are on the water.
About 20 volunteer surf rescue workers, four council lifeguards and a diver are involved in the search. NSW police hold grave fears for the Central Coast teenager. “His two friends raised the alarm with nearby lifeguards ... but they have been unable to rescue the boy,” Inspector Benjamin Campbell of Brisbane Water police district said on Wednesday.
