A desperate search for a 15-year-old believed to have been swept from rocks at a beach on NSW Central Coast is set to resume on Christmas morning.
Emergency services were called to North Avoca Beach about 3pm on Tuesday after a teenager was reportedly swept from rocks on the beach.
A 15-year-old is believed to have been swept off rocks in waters near North Avoca Beach. Picture: Marine Rescue NSW.
Marine Rescue NSW crews assisted with the search on Christmas Eve. Picture: Marine Rescue NSW.
Brisbane Water Police District officers, Marine Area Command, NSW Ambulance, Surf Life Saving NSW and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were involved in a search of the area on Tuesday, however they were unable to find the missing swimmer.
Marine Rescue Terrigal also assisted NSW Police with the search on Tuesday.
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond confirmed a volunteer crew and rescue vessel were deployed in the afternoon.
“Terrigal 30 rendezvoused with a NSW Water Police vessel off The Skillion and is now conducting search patterns under the direction of NSW Police Marine Area Command,” Inspector Raymond said.
“Conditions offshore are choppy with 2.5 metre to 3 metre swell.”
Marine Rescue NSW crews were told to stand down about 7pm Tuesday. Picture: Marine Rescue NSW.
The search for the teen is set to resume Christmas morning. Picture: Marine Rescue NSW.
Inspector Raymond said crews searched for about two and a half hours before they were told to stand down at 7pm, with the search tipped to resume on Christmas morning.
“Terrigal 30 will conduct search patterns in an area to be determined by NSW Police Marine Area Command,” he said.
Anyone with information about the boy’s whereabouts have been urged to come forward.
A hazardous surf warning was issued at 5am on Christmas by the Bureau of Meteorology for the Byron Coast, Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast and Sydney Coast.
“Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming in the following areas,” the warning stated.
NSW Police Force, Marine Area Command advised people to consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed rocks.
More to come …