Body found in search for boy, 11, swept out to sea in NSW

A body believed to be the 11-year-old boy who was swept out to sea on Sunday has been found in the water on the New South Wales Central Coast.

Laith Alaid had been visiting The Entrance at the mouth of Tuggerah Lake on a fishing trip with his family from Sydney when he was taken by a strong current that was described by a local life saver as one an "Olympic swimmer couldn't swim against".

Laith had been crossing a channel between the estuary and the ocean with his dad and three brothers – aged nine, seven, and three – when he was swept out to sea. Bystanders had looked after the other three children while Laith's father, 43, attempted to help his eldest son, but was unable to reach him.

On Wednesday, NSW police said they had located a body believed to be Laith.

"While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing boy," police said.

Police said emergency services responded at about 2.30pm on Wednesday after reports a body had been located.

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It comes after an extensive three day search – via land, air, and sea – for Laith. The alarm was first raised at about 5.15pm on Sunday when emergency services were called.

On Tuesday, police divers found a picnic chair Laith had been carrying. That day, police suspended the multi-agency marine search, but the local police and marine area command and Surf Life Saving NSW continued regular patrols.

Earlier on Tuesday, before the search was suspended, Laith's family said they were focused "on finding our beloved boy" and had "remain[ed] hopeful".

"Thank you to all the volunteers, emergency services, and members of the Central Coast community, who have selflessly dedicated their time and resources to the search efforts," the family said in a statement.

Signs near The Entrance beach surf club warn people not to cross the channel – but it is used by some as a shortcut between two beaches.

English is not the family's first language, and the incident has sparked calls for warning signs to be placed near the channel in other languages.