The search for a missing teenager swept into the ocean on Christmas Eve has ended in tragedy.
The body of 15-year-old Luca Bennett has been found after an agonizing five-day search.
“At around 12pm today, emergency services were called to North Avoca beach following reports that a body had been located in the water,” a police spokesperson said.
“An operation is underway to recover the body, believed to be that of the missing child.”
For two days, rescuers had frantically searched for the teenager, but on Thursday it was announced that the search had transitioned into a recovery operation.
Luca had been playing with friends at North Avoca Rocks on the New South Wales Central Coast on Christmas Eve when the group was swept into the water.
The Scots College student, a promising basketball player, failed to resurface while two of his friends managed to climb to safety and raise the alarm.
In a statement posted to social media on Friday, Luca’s mother, Michelle Bennett, announced that they “have found the beautiful Luca J.”
Luca Bennett, 15, was playing with friends at North Avoca Rocks on the New South Wales Central Coast on Christmas Eve when the group was swept into the water.
Emergency services were called to the beach on Tuesday afternoon and two helicopters scoured the waters near a rock platform at the northern end of the beach.
‘The dolphins were circling the rocks at Nth Avoca from 5am this morning. “The ocean lifted him up on the rocks,” Mrs. Bennett wrote.
‘The incredible team from our surf clubs, police and sea rescue, paramedics are recovering him.
‘We can never begin to explain our immense gratitude to them and all of our family, friends and community. We love you.’
Officers attached to the Brisbane Water Police District took part in the search, along with assistance from Marine Area Command, New South Wales Ambulance, Surf Life Saving NSW, Central Coast Council Lifeguards and Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Luca played under-16 basketball for the Norths Bears in Sydney and was also part of the Basketball NSW High Performance Programme.
A GoFundMe fundraiser created in the name of the Bennett family has raised more than $80,000 in less than 24 hours, surpassing its goal of $50,000.
Emergency services were called to the scene following the incident on Tuesday afternoon and two helicopters scoured the waters near a rock platform at the northern end of the beach.
The search resumed on Christmas morning with rescue boats, jet skis and drones combing the area.
District Inspector Benjamin Campbell said on Wednesday: “This is a very tragic incident and I feel sorry for 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 there.
‘I have spoken to (the family). They’re obviously very upset right now and are doing what they can.’
Tributes poured in for the promising basketball player who was a popular student at his elite private school in Sydney’s wealthy east.
“RIP bro, you’re too young for this to happen,” a friend shared on Instagram.
‘I’ve had some of the best and most fun memories with you. you were a great man. I love you friend.’
‘Rest easy Luca, he left too soon. Your energy will live on,” wrote another.
A third said: “Rest in peace lad, you will be missed.”
The desperate search prompted a warning from Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce, who urged Australians to be weary in the waters this holiday season.
“We want everyone to return to their families and to do so we ask you to think before taking risks,” he said.
“We are already seeing these large incidents that are devastating for many families at this time of year.”
In a separate incident, a woman drowned on a beach on the New South Wales south coast on Saturday morning, despite the frantic efforts of a teenage surf lifesaver to help her.
The 66-year-old woman was pulled unconscious from the surf at Werri Beach, near Gerringong, about 130 kilometers south of Sydney.
The area of Werri Beach where the woman was swimming was not patrolled, but Surf Lifesolving NSW said a 13-year-old club member pulled the woman from the water.