The devastated family of a young bodyboarder have paid tribute to him after his body was pulled unconscious from the water at a notoriously dangerous surfing spot.
Dylan Carpenter, 20, died after losing his bodyboard while in the surf at Fingal Head on the far north coast of NSW on Sunday.
Emergency crews began a desperate search for Mr Carpenter after he attempted to climb onto nearby rocks before he was knocked out when a wave hit him.
His body was pulled from the water two hours later, but he couldn’t be revived.
Dylan Carpenter, 20, died after losing his bodyboard while in the surf at Fingal Head on the far north coast of NSW on Sunday
His uncle Scott Gemmell confirmed his death on Facebook on Sunday night, telling his followers that his nephew was ‘one of a kind.’
He wrote: ‘It is with a massive pain in my hear right now as I post this.
Tragically my nephew Dylan Carpenter was taken from us today in a freak accident at Fingal Head.
‘He was doing what he loved… surfing with his mates but that doesn’t make it any easier.
‘At the age of 20 you aren’t supposed to leave this Earth any time soon. For whatever reason your time came and it came far too early! Our family is devastated.’
His uncle Scott Gemmell confirmed his death on Facebook on Sunday night, telling his followers that his nephew was ‘one of a kind’
Mr Carptenter’s body was pulled unconscious from the water at a notoriously dangerous surfing spot
Video at the scene showed distraught locals on the headland watching the search unfold
A police officer was pictured holding a bodyboard as locals gathered at Fingal Head on Sunday
He added: ‘Surf Lifesaving at Fingal Head and Tweed Police did an amazing job although that is for another time.
‘The time now is to grieve and whilst we all keep looking at the door waiting for you to enter we know you can’t.
‘Dyl’ my boy you’ve rocked out world! You were one of a kind!’
Mr Gemmell said his nephew has left behind his parents Natalie and Jason, sister Ava, brothers Hayden and Kyle, and grandparents Bill and Gail.
‘We know your thoughts are with us all,’ he said.
Emergency crews began a desperate search for Mr Carpenter after he attempted to climb onto nearby rocks before he was knocked out when a wave hit him
Emergency services were called to Fingal Head following reports a man had become distressed in the water just after 11.30am.
He ran into trouble after losing his board and attempting to climb onto the rocks, police were told.
A search involving Surf Life Savers was started and Mr Carpenter was pulled from the water just after 1.30pm.
Paramedics attempted CPR, but the bodyboarder could not be revived.
The tragedy occurred near where Ryan Martin, 30, lost his life while saving the life of a young girl in March 2016.
A report on Mr Carpenter’s death will be prepared for the Coroner.