Frantic search continues as teen swept from rocks is identified as popular student from elite private school

A young teenager who went missing off the coast of North Avoca on Christmas Eve has been identified as 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 search the water near a rock plateau at the northern end of the beach.

Police confirmed on Wednesday that three 15-year-old boys were swept into the sea from a rocky plateau at around 2.40pm on Tuesday. Two boys went back onto the rocks and, together with rescuers, raised the alarm, but Bennett had not been found.

“At this stage we have been unable to locate the 15-year-old boy,” District Inspector Benjamin Campbell said on Wednesday.

‘It is a very tragic incident and I sympathize with the family at this time of year. It’s just a timely reminder of how dangerous the rocks around the ocean can be and how everyone needs to be very careful about what happens around them.

‘I have spoken [the family]. They are obviously very upset at the moment and are doing what they can.”

Jason Hicks, a local resident of North Avoca, told the Sydney Morning Herald he witnessed attempts to rescue the boy minutes after the group was swept off the rocks.

Tributes poured in for Luca on Christmas Day as friends began to fear the worst

‘The guys who managed to get out were visibly upset, as were a few surfers. And there was a man who tried to jump in and save [the boy] and he was visibly beside himself,” Mr. Hicks said.

Tributes have poured online for the promising young basketball player who was a popular student and top basketball player at his elite private school in Sydney’s affluent east.

“RIP brother, you’re way too young to let this happen. I have had some of the best and funniest memories with you. you were a great man. Love you buddy,” a friend shared on Instagram.

‘Rest in peace Luca, gone far too soon. Your energy will live on,” wrote another.

A third said: ‘Rest in peace man, we will miss you.’

Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond said a volunteer search party was formed just after 4.30pm and a rescue vessel was deployed.

“Terrigal 30 has encountered a NSW Water Police vessel at The Skillion and is now conducting search patterns under the direction of the NSW Police Marine Area Command,” he said.

However, Inspector Raymond warned that the water was choppy and had a swell of 8 to 10 feet, making the search effort more difficult.

The search for missing Luca resumed on Christmas morning

The search, which involved NSW Police personnel, NSW Ambulance, local surf lifesavers and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (pictured), searched the water where he was last seen.

Luca Bennet is a popular student and top basketball player

Surf LifeSaving NSW has also joined the search, using jet skis and drones to cover as much water as possible.

On Tuesday, NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia the search would be postponed overnight.

“The search will continue until dark,” a spokesperson said.

“If nothing is found, the search will resume tomorrow, with water police resources remaining until 10 p.m.

The search will resume tomorrow at 6.30am assuming no find is made this evening.’

Sunset is expected in the area around 8:05 PM.

The desperate search prompted a warning from Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce, who urged Australians to be weary in the waters this festive season.

“We want everyone to return to their families and to do that, we ask you to think before taking any risks,” he said, Nine News reported.

“We’re seeing all these major incidents happening now that are devastating for a lot of families at this time of year.”

This morning they resumed their search; However, we were unable to locate the boy.