A young boy is missing after being caught in a rip on the NSW mid-north coast that also swept his 17-year-old brother out.
The 11-year-old boy was with his family in shallow waters this afternoon on Lighthouse Beach, near Port Macquarie, when he was swept out, police said.
He has not been seen since.
"We still hold out every hope of course, we're going to be searching until we find something," David Horseman from NSW Ambulance said.
Water police with marine rescue, NSW Surf Life Saving (SLS) and a rescue helicopter have led the search operation.
"We're trying everything that's possible to try and find this young fellow," Mr Horseman said.
The boy's 17-year-old brother managed to get to shore independently and has been treated by paramedics.
Surf Life Saving has warned there are dangerous swimming conditions all along the coast.
Many beaches in Sydney have been closed due to huge swells and powerful waves.
"This hard surf that's just come through over the [last] day or two, it creates a lot of rips and water movement and not so great conditions for swimming," NSW SLS manager Matt du Plessis said.
