Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Luca, 15, is a Scots College student and passionate basketballer, social media shows.He was playing with friends at North Avoca Rocks on Tuesday afternoon when the group was taken into the sea from a rock shelf about 2.40pm.Luca’s two friends got back onto the rocks and raised the alarm with lifesavers, but Bennett disappeared.According to social media, Bennett started high school at Terrigal before joining Scots College.A newsletter from The Central Coast Academy of Sport shows Bennett and his basketball teammates standing together and smiling.Bennett played under-16s basketball for the Norths Bears in Sydney.“Forever 15”: The friends’ etching at North Avoca.Credit: James BrickwoodWhile the search continued Wednesday, friends and family posted concerned messages on social media.Just one week ago, Bennett posted a photo on Instagram looking out to the ocean from some rocks, with the caption: “Gettin warmer.”Luca’s mother’s Facebook posts show her pride in her son’s sporting achievements and days spent with him at art galleries.District Inspector Benjamin Campbell said on Wednesday that rescuers hadn’t been able to locate Luca.Rescuers at North Avoca Beach search for the missing boy on Wednesday.Credit: James Brickwood“It’s a very tragic incident, and I feel for the family at this time of year. It’s just a timely reminder of how dangerous the rocks can be around the ocean and how everyone has to be really careful about what’s going on around there,” he said.“I’ve spoken to [the family]. They’re obviously very upset at the moment, and they’re dealing with what they can.”Surf Rescue duty officer Matt Slattery said Wednesday’s search was focused on where the boy was last seen and would continue until dark.“The surf is definitely not flat, but the training and the experience and the team, they’re more than capable of performing in these conditions,” Slattery said.Luca Bennett (left) with a friendCredit: InstagramNorth Avoca local Jason Hicks said he witnessed attempts to rescue Luca minutes after the group was swept off the rocks.“The boys who managed to get out were visibly upset, a couple of surfers were as well. And there was one guy who tried to jump in and rescue [the boy] and he was visibly beside himself,” Hicks said.“I didn’t really do anything, there was nothing to do really, it just happened so quick I think, but all the services were here in a matter of minutes. It was just incredible how fast they responded, and all the surf lifesavers were unbelievable jumping in and trying to find him.”Hicks said this was a rare occurrence for the “very tight-knit” North Avoca community.“I actually spoke with [the family] this morning, because I was sort of standing down there and they’re just beside themselves. Just lovely, lovely, local people, and we’re just such a tight-knit community here, and this has never really happened, not happened for a long time. It’s just such a sad day for North Avoca.”Jason Hicks, who lives near where Luca Bennett went missing at North Avoca.Credit: Billie EderNSW Police, NSW Ambulance, local surf lifesavers and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service were involved in the search, which was paused after 8pm on Tuesday before continuing on Wednesday.Local surf lifesavers, marine rescue and water police, as well as the Surf Life Saving NSW drone team began looking again for the boy at first light.There were 20 volunteer surf rescue workers involved and four paid council lifeguards covered the area around the rock shelf with three jetskis, while a diver was searching near the rocks.With Cindy Yin and Nigel GladstoneStart the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
