Body found in search for boy swept out to sea north of Sydney

SYDNEY: Authorities found a body on Wednesday in the search for an 11-year-old boy who was swept out to sea from a beach north of Sydney.

Laith Alaid was swept into the ocean while crossing a channel at The Entrance beach on the Central Coast, approximately 60 km north of Sydney, with his father and three younger brothers on Sunday evening, triggering a major search effort by air, land and sea.

Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said in a statement that emergency services were called to The Entrance at about 2:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday following reports a body had been found in the water.

“While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing boy,” NSW Police said.

Witnesses said on Sunday that the 11-year-old disappeared under the waves within minutes of being swept away from the beach.

A three-day major multi-agency search was suspended on Tuesday afternoon but local police were expected to continue regular patrols of the area.

The boy and his family were visiting the Central Coast for the day from western Sydney.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the boy’s family said it was moved by the community support it had received.

“Thank you to all the volunteers, emergency services and members of the Central Coast community who have selflessly dedicated their time and resources to search efforts,” they said.

The family asked for privacy.

-Xinhua