An urgent search for a 15-year-old boy believed to have been swept off rocks on the NSW Central Coast will resume early this morning.
Emergency services, including the Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter, were called to North Avoca Beach at 3.10pm on Christmas Eve.
Two helicopters scoured the water for the teen, who’s believed to have been swept from a rock shelf, without success.
Surf Life Saving NSW was also involved in the search with volunteers spotted on jet skis and drones being used.
A police spokesperson said the search was scaled down about 7pm but a water police vessel remain in the area into the night.
Then the search was set to resume this morning.
The incident sparked a warning from Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steve Pearce, who urged Australians to be careful in the water this Christmas.
“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.”
A hazardous surf warning was in place for yesterday and today in parts of NSW, including the Central Coast.
Since July 1, there have been 17 recorded coastal drownings.