The search for a missing teenager who was swept out to sea while trying to rescue his younger brothers has been suspended after three days.
Emergency services were called to Congo Beach, about 40km south of Bateman’s Bay on the NSW south coast, on Boxing Day afternoon following reports 19-year-old Khattab Abu Haish had gone missing in the water.
Officials were told the former Ashfield Boys High School student jumped into the water at about 3:30pm to rescue his younger brothers who were struggling in the surf, but became caught in a rip.
The two brothers survived but Mr Abu Haish was swept out to sea.
“They were down there fishing when the younger brothers went into the surf and this man has gone in to assist his brothers and to get them from the surf,” South Coast Police District Inspector Greg Flood told reporters.
“He has retrieved one of his brothers and I believe the other brother got out by himself and this man was swept out.”
A multi-agency search, including crews from PolAir, Marine Area Command, surf lifesavers, Marine Rescue NSW and the Westpac Rescue helicopter, was sent out to look for the 19-year-old.
But police announced the search would be suspended on Thursday as Mr Abu Haish hadn’t been found.
“Despite an extensive search of the water and surrounding land for the past two days, the 19-year-old man from Sydney has not been located,” police said.
In several Facebook posts, family members called on their community to pray that the young man was “still alive and his body is found”.
Inquiries into Mr Abu Haish’s disappearance are ongoing and anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.