Frantic search continues as teen swept from rocks is identified as popular student from elite private school
- A 15-year-old boy is still missing off the coast of North Avoca
- He has been identified as Scots student Luca Bennet
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A young teen who went missing off the coast of North Avoca on Christmas Eve has been identified as The Scots College student Luca Bennet.
The 15-year-old 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 were called to Avoca Beach after he failed to resurface, leading to two helicopters being launched to scour the waters near a rock shelf on the northern end of the beach.
Police confirmed on Wednesday that three 15-year-old boys were swept into the sea from a rock shelf about 2.40pm on Tuesday. Two boys got back onto the rocks and raised the alarm with lifesavers, but Bennett had not been found.
'At this stage, we haven't been able to locate the 15-year-old boy,' 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.'
North Avoca local Jason Hicks told The Sydney Morning Herald he witnessed attempts to rescue the boy minutes after the group was swept off the rocks.
The young teen who went missing off the coast of North Avoca on Christmas Eve has been identified as The Scots College student Luca Bennet
Tributes flowed in for Luca on Christmas day as friends began to fear the worst
'The boys who managed to get out were visibly upset, a couple of surfers were as well. And there was one guy who tried to jump in and rescue [the boy] and he was visibly beside himself,' Mr Hicks said.
Online, tributes are flowing for the promising young basketball player who was a popular student and top-tier basketballer at his elite private school in Sydney's well-heeled east.
'RIP brother your way too young for this to happen. Ive had some of the best and funniest memories with you. you were great man. I love ya mate,' one friend shared to Instagram.
'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.'
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond said a volunteer search crew was assembled and a rescue vessel was deployed just after 4:30pm.
'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,' he said.
However, Inspector Raymond warned that the waters were choppy and had a 2.5m-3m swell, making the search effort more difficult.
The search for the missing Luca resumed on Christmas morning
The search, which included NSW Police personnel, NSW Ambulance, local surf lifesavers and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (pictured), scoured the water where he was last seen
Luca Bennet is a popular student and top-tier basketballer
Surf LifeSaving NSW have also joined the search effort, utilising jetskis and drones to cover as much water as possible.
On Tuesday NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia the search would be postponed overnight.
'Search will continue until darkness,' a spokesperson said.
'If nothing found search to resume tomorrow, Water police assets will remain until 10pm.
Search to resume at 6.30am tomorrow, assuming there is no find tonight.'
Sunset is expected in the area about 8:05pm.
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, Nine News reported.
'We're already seeing these major incidents come through which are devastating for many families at this time of year.'
They resumed their search this morning; however have been unable to locate the boy.
