A desperate search to find a missing boy who was swept out to sea has been scaled down 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 out into the ocean at The Entrance, on NSW’s Central Coast, at about 5.15pm on Sunday.
His father was helping the three younger brothers cross a channel as they returned back to the 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 co-ordinated multi-agency search had been suspended.
‘However, Tuggerah Lakes Police District, Marine Area Command and Surf Life Saving NSW, will continue regular patrols of the area over the coming days,’ NSW Police said.
The heartbreaking update comes as the family released a photo of Laith on Tuesday and they thanked those who have rallied around them, saying they are ‘deeply moved by the community support’.
The image, 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 off the NSW Central Coast. This photo was reportedly taken just a few 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 we ask the community to stay vigilant for anything that might assist in the search.’
The family have requested privacy as they focus on finding their ‘beloved boy’.
Witnesses say Laith’s family have remained at the beach the past few days as they hope for a miracle.
‘They didn’t go home [on Sunday],’ one woman said.
‘I saw them at 1.30am still sitting there with blankets crying. It killed me.’
Another witness said Laith’s father became overwhelmed with emotion as he watched the search operation on Monday.
‘When the helicopter would go low and look like it might have found something, he would go back to his car,’ they said.
It is understood Laith was walking with a camp chair on his back as the family crossed the notorious channel.
The distraught father is seen embracing his youngest son shortly after his eldest was swept out to sea on Sunday afternoon
The 43-year-old father was crossing The Entrance Channel with his four boys – aged 11, nine, seven and three – when the eldest child was swept into the water
Two bystanders helped look after the the man’s younger children while he frantically tried to rescue his son.
The distraught father was later pictured sitting on the sand hugging his youngest son tight while being consoled.
The family, who are understood to not speak English, had been visiting the area from Sydney.
It’s understood the mother didn’t go on the fishing trip but travelled to the Central Coast with family and friends on Monday as the search resumed.
Daily Mail Australia understands locals have offered the family accommodation in the area amid the search, with more relatives arriving to support them.
Local members of the community have also been offering 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 helping the family.
‘The family are very distraught and as I said they are being very well supported by our family liaison officer, chaplains and we will assist them as much as we can,’ he said.
Police divers found the boy’s chair, towel and esky before the search was suspended just after 4pm on Monday.
The Entrance Channel is one of the most dangerous locations on the Central Coast due to the strong currents during changing tides.
The treacherous channel, known as the ‘black spot’, connects Tuggerah Lakes to the ocean.
Many people cross the channel at low tide as a way to get back to The Entrance car park or to access North Entrance.
The extensive search and rescue operation (pictured) resumed on Tuesday
The father tried desperately to reach his son who was pulled by the strong tide but was unsuccessful (pictured, men thought to be relatives or friends watch over the stretch of water where the boy was swept out to sea)
However when the tide changes, the strong currents pulling water out to sea are powerful.
In 2016, two fishermen drowned in the The Entrance Channel after they fell into the water while fishing.
In 2012, 15-year-old boy Keon Sbrugnera also drowned after he was caught in a rip while swimming with friends.
In the same year, a strong current during an incoming tide pulled a Toyota HiLux ute into the middle of The Entrance Channel.
An excavator had to be called in to help remove the ute from the water.
As Laith’s family are from an Arabic-speaking background, the latest tragedy has prompted calls for warnings in multiple languages for those unaware of the channel’s hidden dangers.
Signs warning beachgoers of the dangers are located in number of spots near the channel.
Locals believe the warning signs are not enough to deter visitors and that three separate stairs and handrails that lead directly to the water actually entice people to the channel
The channel at The Entrance is a notorious danger spot as the shifting sands push strong currents out to sea (pictured)
The signs, written in English, warn: ‘Beware – fast, changing currents and deep holes’.
They also state the area was a ‘known danger for fishing, night wading, swimming’ and urge people to visit a patrolled beach about 400m away.
Locals believe the signs are not enough to deter visitors and that three separate stairs and handrails actually entice people down into the water.
Surf Life Saving Central Coast chief executive Michael Hyslop said the effectiveness of the signs would be considered.
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