A body has been found after a desperate search for a missing boy was swept out to sea on the NSW central coast.
Laith Alaid, 11, had just finished fishing with his father, 43, and three younger brothers – aged nine, seven and three – when he was swept into the ocean at The Entrance at about 5.15pm on Sunday.
His father was helping the three younger brothers cross a canal as they returned to shore when Laith, who was walking behind him, was pulled away by the tide.
A multi-coordinated search for the boy was launched, involving rescue helicopters, water police and surf lifesavers.
NSW Police announced on Wednesday that a body had been found at 2.30pm.
“Although the body has yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing boy,” a spokeswoman said.
“A report will be prepared for the coroner.”
The family released a photo of Laith on Tuesday, thanking those who gathered around them and saying they are “deeply moved by the support from the community.”
Laith Alaid, 11, had just finished fishing with his father, 43, and three younger brothers – aged nine, seven and three – when he was swept into the ocean at The Entrance, on the NSW central coast, at about 5.15pm . Sunday
A multi-coordinated search for the boy was launched, involving rescue helicopters, water police and surf lifesavers.
The photo, which shows the young boy proudly holding two small fish, was taken just a few hours before he went missing.
Witnesses said Laith’s family remained on the beach in recent days hoping for a miracle.
‘They didn’t go home [on Sunday]’ said one woman.
“I saw them still crying with blankets at 2:30 in the morning. It killed me.”
Another witness said Laith’s father was overcome with emotion as he watched the search operation on Monday.
“If the helicopter went low and it looked like he had found something, he would go back to his car,” they said.
It is understood Laith was walking with a camping chair on his back as the family crossed the infamous canal.
Two bystanders helped care for the man’s younger children as he frantically tried to save his son.
The distraught father was later pictured sitting on the sand and hugging his youngest son tightly as he was comforted.
The family, who are not believed to speak English, had come to the area from Sydney.
It is understood the mother did not go on a fishing trip but traveled to the Central Coast with family and friends on Monday when the search resumed.
The entrance channel is one of the most dangerous locations on the Central Coast due to strong currents during changing tides.
The treacherous channel, known as the ‘black spot’, connects Tuggerah Lakes to the ocean.
The distraught father was later pictured sitting on the sand and hugging his youngest son tightly as he was comforted
Many people cross the canal at low tide to return to The Entrance car park or to access the North Entrance.
However, when the tide changes, the strong currents that pull water out to sea are powerful.
In 2016, two fishermen drowned in the Entrance Canal after falling into the water while fishing.
In 2012, 15-year-old boy Keon Sbrugnera also drowned after falling into a rip while swimming with friends.
The same year, a strong current during a rising tide pulled a Toyota HiLux ute into the middle of The Entrance Channel.
An excavator had to be called in to remove the ute from the water.