Tragedy Strikes on NSW's Central Coast
A fun day at the beach with friends turned into a nightmare for an 18-year-old who lost his life after a sandbar suddenly gave way beneath him on the New South Wales Central Coast.
The teenager has been identified as Riahne Vasquez, a recent HSC graduate and passionate basketball fan.
A Fatal Evening at Soldiers Beach
The incident occurred on Sunday night at Soldiers Beach off Norah Head. Riahne was standing on a sandbar with three friends when it collapsed without warning.
The collapse plunged all four teenagers into the water, where powerful rip currents immediately swept them out to sea.
Two of the boys managed to fight their way back to shore independently. A third was saved from the treacherous conditions by the heroic efforts of nearby surfers.
Tragically, Riahne was unable to escape the strong currents and was swept away.
Extensive Overnight Search in Challenging Conditions
An extensive overnight search operation was immediately launched, involving helicopters, drones, divers, and boats.
Rescue teams faced difficult conditions, with 15-knot winds and three-metre swells hampering their efforts throughout the night.
The search concluded just before lunch on Monday when Riahne was found floating in the shallows.
His family, who had been wandering the beach all night, watched the search from the shore throughout the morning. A witness described the scene as heartbreaking, stating, "There was nothing we could do but just observe."
NSW Police Supt Chad Gillies acknowledged the family's ordeal, calling it a "really traumatic time."
A Beach with a Dangerous History
This tragedy marks another dark chapter for Soldiers Beach, which has experienced a particularly bad year for incidents.
In March, a man died after suffering a medical episode on the sand. In September, a swimmer was pulled unconscious from the water but could not be revived.
Local residents note the area is renowned for its dangerous rip currents. Many people also dive near a shipwreck located offshore, which can create unpredictable water conditions.
The beach remained closed for most of Monday as the recovery operation continued, a sombre reminder of the ocean's power and the importance of beach safety.
