A desperate search for a missing boy who was swept out to sea has been scaled back after the major three-day operation failed to find any trace of him.
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.
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.
Rescue helicopters, water police and surf lifesavers have spent the past few days searching for the young boy, whose family recently moved to Australia from Iraq.
NSW Police announced on Tuesday that the coordinated multi-agency search had been suspended.
“However, Tuggerah Lakes Police District, Marine Area Command and Surf Life Saving NSW will be conducting regular patrols in the area over the coming days,” NSW Police said.
The heartbreaking update comes as the family released a photo of Laith on Tuesday and thanked those who rallied around them, saying they are “deeply moved by the support from the community.”
The photo, which shows the young boy proudly holding two small fish, was taken just a few hours before he went missing.
Laith Alaid, 11, is missing on the NSW central coast. This photo was reportedly taken just a few hours before it was swept into the sea
“Thank you to all the volunteers, emergency responders and members of the Central Coast community who selflessly dedicated their time and resources to the search efforts,” the family said.
“We remain hopeful and ask the community to remain vigilant for anything that could assist the search.”
The family has asked for privacy as they focus on finding their “beloved boy.”
Witnesses say Laith’s family has 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.
The distraught father is seen hugging his youngest son shortly after his eldest was swept into the sea on Sunday afternoon.
The 43-year-old father was crossing the Entrance Canal with his four boys (aged 11, nine, seven and three) when the eldest child was swept into the water.
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.
Daily Mail Australia understands locals have offered the family shelter in the area during the search, with more relatives arriving to support them.
Local community members have also offered their support by donating food and other supplies.
Tuggerah Lakes Inspector David Piddington told media on Monday that NSW Police have a specialist family liaison to assist the family.
“The family are very distraught and as I said, they are very well supported by our family liaison and chaplains, and we will help them as much as we can,” he said.
Police divers found the boy’s chair, towel and esky before the search was called off just after 4pm on Monday.
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.
Many people cross the canal at low tide to return to The Entrance car park or to access the North Entrance.
The extensive search and rescue operation (pictured) resumed on Tuesday
The father desperately tried to reach his son who was being pulled away by the strong tide, but was unable to do so (in the photo, men, probably relatives or friends, watch over the stretch of water where the boy was swept into the sea)
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.
Because Laith’s family comes from an Arabic-speaking background, the latest tragedy has led to calls for warnings in multiple languages for those unaware of the channel’s hidden dangers.
In a number of places near the canal there are signs warning beachgoers of the dangers.
Locals believe the warning signs are not enough to deter visitors and that three separate steps and railings leading straight to the water actually attract people to the canal
The channel at The Entrance is a notoriously dangerous place as the drifting sand pushes strong currents out to sea (photo)
The signs, written in English, warn: ‘Beware – fast, changing currents and deep holes’.
They also say the area poses a ‘known hazard to fishing, night wading and swimming’ and urge people to visit a patrolled beach about 400 meters away.
Locals believe the signs are not enough to deter visitors and that three separate steps and handrails actually lure people into the water.
Surf Life Saving Central Coast chief executive Michael Hyslop said the effectiveness of the signs would be considered.