A desperate search to find a missing boy who was swept out to sea has been scaled back after a major three-day operation failed to find any trace of him.
Laith Alaid, 11, had just finished fishing with his 43-year-old father and three younger brothers (nine, seven and three) when he was swept into the ocean at The Entry on the New Wales central coast. South, around 5:15 pm Sunday.
Their father was helping the three younger brothers cross a canal as they returned to shore when Laith, who was walking behind him, was swept away by the tide.
Rescue helicopters, water police and surf lifeguards have spent recent days searching for the young man, whose family recently moved to Australia from Iraq.
New South Wales 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 continue to regularly patrol the area over the coming days,” NSW Police said.
The heartbreaking update comes as the family posted a photo of Laith on Tuesday and thanked those who joined them, saying they are “deeply moved by the community’s support.”
The image, which shows the young man proudly holding two small fish, was taken just hours before his disappearance.
Laith Alaid, 11, is missing off the central coast of New South Wales. This photo was reportedly taken just hours before he was swept out to sea.
“Thank you to all the volunteers, emergency services and members of the Central Coast community who have selflessly dedicated their time and resources to the search efforts,” the family said.
“We remain hopeful and ask the community to remain alert for anything that may assist in the search.”
The family has asked for privacy as they focus on finding their “beloved child.”
Witnesses say Laith’s family has remained on the beach for the past few days waiting for a miracle.
“They didn’t come home (Sunday),” one woman said.
‘I saw them at 1.30 in the morning still sitting there, with blankets, crying. It killed me.’
Another witness said Laith’s father was overcome with emotion as he watched the search operation Monday.
“When the helicopter came down and it looked like it had found something, he would go back to his car,” they said.
It is understood Laith walked with a camp chair on his back as the family crossed the famous canal.
The distraught father is seen hugging his youngest son shortly after the eldest was swept out to sea on Sunday afternoon.
The 43-year-old father was crossing the entrance channel with his four children (aged 11, nine, seven and three) when the eldest was swept into the water.
Two bystanders helped care for the man’s youngest children while he desperately tried to rescue his son.
The distraught father was later photographed sitting on the sand hugging his youngest son tightly as he was comforted.
The family, who are understood to not speak English, had been visiting the area from Sydney.
It is understood the mother did not go fishing 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 accommodation in the area amid the search, and more relatives have arrived 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 has a specialist family liaison officer assisting the family.
“The family is very distraught and, as I said, our family liaison officer and chaplains are very supportive 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 shortly after 4pm on Monday.
The Entrance Channel is one of the most dangerous places on the Central Coast due to strong currents during tidal changes.
The treacherous channel, known as the “black point”, connects the Tuggerah Lakes to the ocean.
Many people cross the channel 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 swept away by the strong tide, but was unable to do so (in the photo, men believed to be relatives or friends guard the stretch of water where the boy was swept into the sea)
However, when the tide changes, the strong currents that drag the water out to sea are powerful.
In 2016, two fishermen drowned in the entrance channel after falling into the water while fishing.
In 2012, Keon Sbrugnera, 15, also drowned after getting stuck on a cliff while swimming with friends.
That same year, a strong current during an incoming tide swept a Toyota HiLux ute into the middle of the inlet channel.
An excavator had to be called to help lift the ute out of the water.
As Laith’s family is of Arab origin, the latest tragedy has prompted warning calls in several languages for those unaware of the canal’s hidden dangers.
At several points near the canal there are signs warning bathers of the dangers.
Locals believe that the warning signs are not enough to deter visitors and that three separate stairs and handrails leading directly to the water actually attract people to the canal.
The canal at The Entry is a notorious danger spot as shifting sands push strong currents out to sea (pictured)
The signs, written in English, warn: “Beware: fast, changing currents and deep holes.”
They also claim the area was a “known hazard for fishing, night walking and swimming” and urged people to visit a patrolled beach about 400 meters away.
Locals believe that the signs are not enough to deter visitors and that three separate stairs and handrails actually draw people towards the water.
Surf Life Saving Central Coast chief executive Michael Hyslop said the effectiveness of the signs would be considered.