A search and rescue operation is under way to find a 15-year-old boy who was swept off a rock shelf at a Central Coast beach.
New South Wales police said emergency services were called to North Avoca beach at about 3pm on Tuesday, after reports the boy was missing in the water.
A sea and air operation is under way to locate the boy, with assistance from surf life savers, paramedics and the Westpac rescue helicopter service.
Helicopters have been circling the area, while police and surf lifesaver crews are on the water.
Volunteers from Marine Rescue at nearby Terrigal have been tasked with assisting water police in the search effort.
Inspector for the service Steve Raymond said a crew was assembled and rescue vessel Terrigal 30 was deployed just after 4.30pm.
“Conditions offshore are choppy with 2.5-metre to 3-metre swell,” Inspector Raymond said.
The Surf Lifesaving NSW chief executive, Steve Pearce, issued a statement urging people to think twice before taking risks near water, with several major incidents on Tuesday.
A NSW police spokesperson said if the boy was not found the search would continue until nightfall.
