The search for a missing teenage boy swept into the ocean on Christmas Eve has ended in tragedy.
The body of Luca Bennett, 15, has been found after an agonising five-day search.
‘About 12pm today, emergency services were called to North Avoca beach, following reports a body had been located in the water,’ said a police spokesman.
‘An operation is ongoing to recover the body, believed to be that of the missing boy.’
For two days, rescuers had searched frantically for the teen, but on Thursday it was announced the search had shifted to a recovery operation.
Luca had been playing with friends at North Avoca Rocks on NSW‘s Central Coast on Christmas Eve, when the group was washed into the water.
The Scots College student, a promising basketballer, failed to resurface while two of his friends managed to climb to safety and raise the alarm.
In a statement posted to social media on Friday, Luca’s mother Michelle Bennett announced her ‘beautiful Luca J has been found’.
Luca Bennett, 15, was playing with friends at North Avoca Rocks on NSW ‘s Central Coast on Christmas eve, when the group was washed into the water
Emergency services rushed to the beach on Tuesday afternoon and two helicopters scoured the waters near a rock shelf on the northern end of the beach
‘Dolphins were circling Nth Avoca rocks since 5am this morning. The ocean lifted him up onto the rocks,’ Mrs Bennett wrote.
‘The incredible team from our Surf Clubs, Police and marine rescue, paramedics are retrieving him for us.
‘We can’t ever begin to explain our immense gratitude to them and all of our family, friends and community. We love you.’
The search had involved officers attached to Brisbane Water Police District, along with the assistance from the Marine Area Command, NSW Ambulance, Surf Life Saving NSW, Central Coast Council Lifeguards and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Luca played under-16s basketball for the Norths Bears in Sydney, and was also part of Basketball NSW’s High-Performance Program.
A GoFundMe fundraiser created on the Bennett family’s behalf has raised more than $80,000 in less than 24 hours, surpassing its goal of $50,000.
Emergency services had rushed to the scene after the incident on Tuesday afternoon and two helicopters scoured the waters near a rock shelf on the northern end of the beach.
The search resumed on Christmas morning with rescue vessels, jet skis and drones combing the area.
District inspector Benjamin Campbell said on Wednesday: ‘It’s a very tragic incident, and I feel for the family at this time of year.
‘It’s just a timely reminder of how dangerous the rocks can be around the ocean and how everyone has to be really careful about what’s going on around there.
‘I’ve spoken to [the family]. They’re obviously very upset at the moment, and they’re dealing with what they can.’
Tributes poured in for the promising basketball player who was a popular student at his elite private school in Sydney’s well-heeled east.
‘RIP brother your way too young for this to happen,’ one friend shared to Instagram.
‘Ive had some of the best and funniest memories with you. you were great man. I love ya mate.’
‘Rest easy Luca, gone way too soon. Your energy will live on,’ another wrote.
A third said: ‘Rest in peace my guy, we will miss you.’
The desperate search sparked a warning from Surf Life Saving NSW CEO, Steve Pearce, who urged Aussies to be weary in waters this holiday season.
‘We want everyone to return to their families and to do that we plead with you to please think before you take risks,’ he said.
‘We’re already seeing these major incidents come through which are devastating for many families at this time of year.’
In a separate incident, a woman drowned at a beach on the NSW South Coast on Saturday morning, despite the frantic efforts of a teenage surf lifesaver to help her.
The 66-year-old woman was pulled from the surf unconscious at Werri Beach near Gerringong, around 130km south of Sydney.
The area of Werri Beach where the woman was swimming was not patrolled, but Surf Lifesaving NSW said that a 13-year-old member of the club pulled the woman from the water.
