THE loved ones of Keon Sbrugnera were last night clinging to a glimmer of hope the 15-year-old would be found alive. Twin brother Callan and dozens of schoolmates from Wyong High, gathered on a Central Coast beach praying for good news from police and emergency services assisting in the search.
Keon, his girlfriend and two other friends had entered the water at the northern end of The Entrance channel about 3.30pm on Sunday.
Police said the teenagers were caught in a rip. Keon’s three friends managed to make it ashore. They spotted him more than 100metres out to sea before he disappeared behind a wave.
The teenagers raised the alarm and surf lifesavers from The Entrance and North Entrance plunged into the surf in rescue boats and on jet skis.
The last sighting of Keon came over the emergency radio when he was 500 metres out.
Keon’s grandmother, Joan, said the family, which included five siblings, was devastated at the thought of losing him.
Keon and Callan had been ‘‘inseparable’’.
‘‘The family is really not holding up well at all,’’ she said.
‘‘... it’s just terrible. Callan is just heartbroken – the whole family is.’’
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