Police scale back search for teenager swept off the rocks on NSW Central Coast

The search for a teenager who was swept into the ocean on the NSW Central Coast has been scaled back.

NSW Police confirmed today that the search for Luca Bennett had tragically become a “recovery mission”.

Bennett was one of three boys swept off the rocks by a wave at 2.40pm at North Avoca Beach on Christmas Eve.

NSW Police Inspector Ben Campbell said two of the boys managed to make it back to shore and raised the alarm with lifeguards who immediately started to search for the 15-year-old.

A search was quickly conducted but it had to be suspended due to darkness.

The search was scaled down at dark but resumed at about 5.45am on Christmas Day, involving Brisbane Water Police District, with the assistance of the Marine Area Command, NSW Ambulance, Surf Life Saving NSW and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

 

In a statement, the teenager’s heartbroken family said they had “lost our darling beloved Luca J”.

 

“Everyone is doing the best they can to search for him and bring him home to us,” the statement said.

 

“We are so grateful. He was the most perfect son and we can’t believe it’s real.”