Police say they hold grave fears for a teen who was swept out to sea off the Victorian coast this week, with the mission now entering a ‘search and recovery’ stage.
Lauchlon Humphries, 14, and a 15-year-old friend were on the rocks at Cape Bridgewater, about 370 kilometres west of Melbourne, when a wave pulled them into the water on Tuesday.
The 15-year-old climbed to safety, but Lauchlon is still missing.
After the 15-year-old raised the alarm, Victorian Police, Lifesaving Victoria and the Coast Guard rushed to the scene on Tuesday evening
Lauchlon has not been found, with the search now entering its fifth day on Saturday.
Lauchlon Humphries, 14, is missing after being swept off rocks at Cape Bridgewater, near Portland. Picture: Supplied.
As part of the search, the Victorian Police air unit was on Saturday afternoon searching the Cape Bridgewater coastline and surrounding area.
‘Sadly, due to the passage of time since the incident and extreme environmental conditions of the area, police hold grave concerns for the welfare of the boy,’ a Victorian Police spokesperson said.
‘Officers have been in constant contact with the family regarding the search which has now moved from an active search into a search and recovery phase.’
Parks Victoria warns those planning on visiting the blowholes near Portland about strong currents, slippery rocks and unstable cliffs.
Emergency service workers and search volunteers at the scene. Picture: NCA NewsWire.
A helicopter searches the coastline as the mission now enters a ‘search and recovery’ stage. Picture: NCA NewsWire.
The site features a 400-metre gravel walkway to view the rock formations, with many who visit describing the conditions as windy.
‘It can be very windy so be sure of your footing and surroundings, as I saw some people get very close to the edge for ‘the perfect photo’ without considering the windy conditions, one person wrote in a TripAdvisor review.
‘There was plenty of spray formed by the constant beating of the waves against the cliff and rocks below. It was scary at times as the waves swelled high due to the extreme blowing and intermittent rain that fell,’ another recounted.
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