Boy washed off North Avoca rocks identified, search continues

The search continues for the missing teen swept off rocks at North Avoca on Tuesday, December 24.

The search for 15-year-old Luca Bennett, who was swept off rocks at North Avoca on Tuesday, resumed on Christmas Day as authorities and the local community hold out hope for his recovery.

Police confirmed that Luca was with two other 15-year-old boys when a wave swept them off a rock shelf around 2:40 pm.

While the other two boys managed to climb back to safety and raise the alarm with lifesavers, Luca has not yet been located.

“At this stage, we haven’t been able to locate the 15-year-old boy,” District Inspector Benjamin Campbell said on Wednesday. “It’s a very tragic incident, and I feel for the family at this time of year.

It’s just a timely reminder of how dangerous the rocks can be around the ocean and how everyone has to be really careful about what’s going on around there.”

Inspector Campbell added that he had spoken to Luca’s family, who are understandably devastated. “They’re obviously very upset at the moment, and they’re dealing with what they can,” he said.

Earlier on Christmas Day, Surf Rescue Duty Officer Matt Slattery confirmed to media that the search efforts would remain focused on the area where the boy was last seen and continue until dark.

“The surf is definitely not flat, but the training and the experience and the team, they’re more than capable of performing in these conditions,” Slattery said.

Emergency services, including water police, surf lifesavers, and local volunteers, are combing the coastline in their search for Luca.

Terrigal Marine Rescue volunteers assisted water police in Tuesday’s search, describing offshore conditions as challenging, with choppy waters and a swell ranging between 2 and 3 metres.

---

Under the direction of Marine Area Command, volunteers from Marine Rescue Terrigal aboard the vessel Terrigal 30 have been stood down for the day at 3 pm Christmas Day from the multi-agency search. They returned to their base at Terrigal and await further instructions from Marine Area Command.

Just after lunchtime on Christmas Day Lucca’s friends gathered on North Avocat beach in honour of their lost friend.

North Avoca Beach remains a popular spot for locals and visitors, but officials are urging caution around rock platforms, particularly with recent rough conditions.

The Central Coast community has rallied around Luca’s family, with many offering their thoughts and prayers.

The search is ongoing and will resume on Boxing Day morning.

Updates will follow as more information becomes available.