The search for a teenager who was swept from a rock into the sea at a popular beach has entered its second day.
Emergency services were called to North Avoca Beach, on the New South Wales Central Coast, about 3.10pm on Tuesday following reports of a 15-year-old boy missing.
The boy was standing on a rock platform with a group of friends when they were swept into the water, however, he did not surface.
His friends raised the alarm that he was missing, prompting two helicopters to be launched to explore the waters near the rock platform.
NSW Police, along with NSW Ambulance, local surf lifeguards and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, launched an extensive search for the boy.
Terrigal Marine Rescue volunteers assisted police in their search and described the water conditions as “choppy” with 2.5 to three meter waves making the search effort difficult.
Search and rescue teams were unable to locate the child and the search was suspended after 7 p.m.
At 6am on Wednesday, local surf lifesavers along with marine rescue, water police and the Surf Life Saving NSW drone team resumed the search.
The search for a missing 15-year-old boy has entered its second day after he was swept from a rock ledge in North Avoca Beach.
The search, which included staff from NSW Police, a NSW Ambulance, local surf lifeguards and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (pictured), scoured the water where he was last seen .
The Westpac rescue helicopter will also resume its search for the boy at 9am on Wednesday.
A dangerous surf warning was issued on Wednesday for parts of the New South Wales coast, including the Central Coast region.
Beachgoers celebrating Christmas are urged to remain alert and use caution when entering the water.
Central Coast councilor Jared Wright urged beachgoers to stay away from the search area to help emergency services continue their search.
Wright also encouraged beachgoers celebrating Christmas to remain alert and use caution when entering the water.
“Our thoughts remain with the young man and his family,” Wright wrote in a post shared on Facebook.
‘Thank you to everyone in the community for supporting us. “As always, the Central Coast community has pulled together during a difficult period.”
‘This is a reminder for everyone to be safe in the water this summer.
It is understood the boy was standing on a rocky outcropping on the north side of the beach with a group of friends when they were swept into the water.
‘For those visiting our beaches during the summer and especially during the holiday period, please remember to be safe in and around the water.
‘Remember to swim between the flags, swim with a friend where you can and always let someone else know where you’re going.’
According to data from Royal Life Saving Australia, more people have drowned in Australia in the first three weeks of summer than during the same period in 2023.
Royal Life Saving Australia has reported 18 drowning deaths since December 1, including six in New South Wales.
It comes after a woman died after being pulled unconscious from the water in an area not patrolled by lifeguards at Werri Beach in Gerringong, near Kiama, on December 21.