Boy swept out to sea
Harrowing tragedy struck the Central Coast last Sunday, when an 11 year boy was swept out to sea by a strong current in The Entrance Channel. A 43-year-old man had been crossing the channel from north to south with his four boys, aged 11, nine, seven and three. The eldest child was swept into the ocean.
The Entrance channel, where an 11-year-old boy was swept out to sea last Sunday at 5.15pm.
6 November 2024
BYSTANDERS noticed that the young boy had been swept into the ocean while trying to cross The Entrance channel at about 5.15pm on Sunday and they alerted emergency services.
“While two bystanders looked after the other three children, the man tried to reach the boy but was unsuccessful,” police said.
Police divers found a picnic chair the boy had been carrying but did not find any sign of him.
A local lifesaver described the current as so strong and “treacherous” that not even an Olympic swimmer could swim against it.
Central Coast Surf Life Saving chief executive officer Michael Hyslop said the incident happened just minutes after patrols finished for the day.
"The beach is patrolled. Unfortunately its flags are down at 5 o'clock, so this incident occurred outside of our patrol times," he said.
"The channel is definitely a hotspot for us, something we patrol with more intensity than other areas."
Member for The Entrance, David Mehan said, "Our whole community shares in the sorrow being felt by the family of the boy at this time.
"While the search for the child continues, I want to express my thanks for the efforts being made by local emergency services to locate the child and wish them a speedy conclusion to their work.
"In the aftermath of this tragedy, we should review safety precautions at The Entrance Channel."
The Entrance is a popular tourist location, and most of the visitors are from a non-English speaking background.
After the death of two fishers in the channel in 2016, Mr Mehan said that Central Coast Council should review signage and consider language appropriate warnings.
"The previous review reduced sign clutter and improved warning clarity," Mr Mehan said. "However, language appropriate warnings were rejected in favour of pictorial warning graphics.
"I will be asking the new Council to again review safety arrangements in the channel, and to reconsider its position on language appropriate warnings."
Anyone with information about the incident is being urged to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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