A sunset swim at Newport Beach prompted a search and rescue response after two teenage boys went into the water and were reported missing as darkness fell.
Concern Builds Near Newport Surf Club
The incident began just after 5.15pm on Wednesday, 6 May, when a mother sitting with her baby in front of Newport Surf Life Saving Club saw two 16-year-old boys remove their school clothes before entering the water.
A short time later, as the beach grew darker and the boys had not been seen returning, the woman contacted Triple Zero. The report was made just before 5.45pm, prompting a response from NSW Police and Surf Life Saving NSW’s Newport patrol.
When police arrived, concern increased after the boys’ clothing and mobile phones were found on a bench near the surf club. Their belongings remained in place while emergency crews began checking the beach and nearby water.
Search Crews Sweep Newport Beach
The Newport patrol’s on-call team arrived at the beach with a Surf Life Saving NSW duty officer. Using the surf club’s all-terrain vehicle, surf lifesavers began searching from the southern end of the beach, including the area near the rock pool and amenities block.
Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command and surf lifesavers used torches to check the water and shoreline while the boys’ parents arrived at Newport Beach.
The PolAir helicopter also joined the search, making repeated passes over the beach with a spotlight and thermal imaging equipment as crews worked to find the missing teenagers.
Boys Found Near Southern End
The search ended after rescuers were alerted to two people near the sand dunes at the southern end of the beach. The pair were found and identified as the missing boys.
They were apparently unharmed and had not realised they had triggered a search operation. Their belongings were returned, and they were taken back to the surf club in the all-terrain vehicle.
Once the boys were found, the search was stood down and the helicopter left the area. Police and the boys’ parents were seen speaking with them after the incident about entering the water after sunset.
The Newport Beach search ended safely, but it brought a significant emergency response after two teenagers failed to return before dark.
Published 6-May-2026
