A surf lifesaver came agonisingly close to saving a teenage boy who was swept off the rocks into the ocean – but was instead left in tears on the beach after a big wave foiled the rescue effort.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal details of the heroic effort to rescue high school student Luca Bennett, 15, after he was washed into the ocean with two friends on Christmas Eve.
Luca and his mates had been playing on the rocks at North Avoca Beach on the NSW Central Coast when a rogue wave smashed into the group. Two of his friends managed to climb to safety, but Luca was unable to escape the huge swells.
One rescuer who came agonisingly close to saving the Scots College scholarship pupil was left crying on the beach after treacherous seas foiled his rescue effort.
‘(The lifeguard) reached him, but a giant wave knocked them both making it impossible to drag him to safety,’ Luca’s cousin Cheree Robinson told Daily Mail Australia.
‘We are so grateful to him for being so quick to act.’
Another witness said: ‘He was sobbing on the beach after the failed rescue, it was just awful to see.’
Volunteers refused to give up searching for Luca on jet skies long after he disappeared into the surf. Some even gave up time with their own families on Christmas Day.
Luca Bennett, 15, was playing at North Avoca Rocks when he was swept out to sea on Christmas Eve
Luca’s parents got the news on Friday that the talented basketballer’s body had been found
In a cruel twist of fate, Cheree, a local, raced to the beach to help with the search, having heard the sound of helicopters – only to discover it was her own family member.
As she arrived at the beach she witnessed Luca’s devastated mates consoling each other.
‘I went down because of the choppers, not knowing it was him,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I’m grateful I did because his mum hadn’t arrived yet.
‘I don’t think any of us will ever recover from this.’
The NSW Police Force last night confirmed that a body, believed to be Luca’s, had been found in the water at North Avoca about midday on Friday.
Cousin Cheree Robinson had no idea the helicopters she saw were searching for Luca
After two days of searching, emergency services had scaled down their operation to a recovery effort.
However, many of the local volunteers refused to stand down, using their own boats and jetskis to keep looking.
On Christmas Day, Luca’s parents Michelle and Jason posted to social media: ‘Yesterday we lost our darling beloved Luca J.
‘Everyone is doing the best they can to search for him and bring him home to us. We are so grateful.
‘He was the most perfect son and we can’t believe it’s real.’
Family friend, Emma Power, has set up a GoFundMe to ease the financial burden on the family.
‘Misch and Jase, Luca’s siblings and extended family are coping as best they can, together.
‘They are so grateful for the outpouring of love from our community, and the rescue teams that continue the search to bring Luca home to them to rest.’
Luka was close to his mum Michelle who is coping as best as she can
Luca was a talented basketballer
Emergency services rushed to the beach on Tuesday afternoon and two helicopters scoured the waters near a rock shelf on the northern end of the beach
‘Luca was a friend to many, he had a twinkle in his eye, boisterous infectious laugh and arms always wide open for a hug.
‘He was a talented basketballer, and always gave his time to shoot around with younger athletes, and loved a scrimmage against the older boys.
‘That’s the thing about Luca, everyone loved being around him, and you always walked away with heart full and a smile on your face.’
Luca played under-16s basketball for Sydney’s Norths Bears and was also part of Basketball NSW’s High-Performance Program.
Tributes poured in for the promising basketball player who was a popular student at his elite private school in Sydney’s well-heeled east.
‘RIP brother you’re way too young for this to happen,’ one friend shared to Instagram.
‘I’ve had some of the best and funniest memories with you. you were great man. I love ya mate.’
‘Rest easy Luca, gone way too soon. Your energy will live on,’ another wrote.
A third said: ‘Rest in peace my guy, we will miss you.’
The desperate search sparked a warning from Surf Life Saving NSW CEO, Steve Pearce, who urged Aussies to be wary in waters this holiday season.
‘We want everyone to return to their families and to do that we plead with you to please think before you take risks,’ he said.
‘We’re already seeing these major incidents come through which are devastating for many families at this time of year.’
In a separate incident, a woman drowned at a beach on the NSW South Coast on Saturday morning, despite the frantic efforts of a teenage surf lifesaver to help her.
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