A boy who was swept out to sea on Sunday has been identified as 11-year-old Laith Alaid, as the search to find him continues today.
The Alaid family has released a statement saying it has been “deeply moved” by the support it has received from the community.
Laith was swept out to sea while trying to cross The Entrance Channel at 5.15pm on Sunday with his father and three siblings, aged three, seven and nine.
“We are deeply moved by the community support we have received since Laith went missing at The Entrance on Sunday morning,” the family said in a statement.
“Thank you to all the volunteers, emergency services, and members of the Central Coast community, who have selflessly dedicated their time and resources to the search efforts.”
“We remain hopeful, and we ask the community to stay vigilant for anything that might assist in the search.”
Laith had been fishing with his father and siblings when they ran into trouble while trying to cross through the channel.
Bystanders rushed to help the family, looking after the other siblings while the boy’s father tried to reach him.
However he was unable to, and the 11-year-old was taken out to sea by the current and disappeared in the water.
Dozens of agencies are assisting in the search today including NSW Police, Surf Life Savers and the Westpac Rescue Choppers.
Today a search of the coastline and Tuggerah Lake will continue, Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Courtney Greenslade said.
“[Vessles] Norah Head 20 and Terrigal 30 are conducting an offshore parallel line search with a NSW Water Police vessel while three more Marine Rescue NSW assets are being added to the search,” she said.
“[Vessle] TL 20 and the rescue watercraft will focus on areas in Tuggerah Lake as directed by NSW Police Marine Area Command.”
A search was initiated yesterday at 8am and continued until 4pm.
Yesterday police found a picnic chair Laith had been carrying, but did not find the child.
The family had just relocated from Iraq to Granville on Sydney’s west.
