Tragic death prompts safety warnings

The tragic death of NSW central coast teenager Matthew Appleby shows the danger of
swimming alone in unpatrolled areas, even for strong swimmers, lifesavers say.
An autopsy and review of dental records confirmed his identity on Tuesday after
Matthew's body was found by a surfer at Forresters Beach on Monday.
The 16-year-old A-grade student vanished a little more than two weeks ago, and
police strongly suspect he got into trouble after entering the surf at Avoca Beach,
several kilometres south of where his body was found.
Surf lifesavers describe Avoca Beach as potentially one of the trickiest in the area.
"It can be one of the most dangerous on the coast, especially when the sea is big,"
Brett Beswick, director of life saving at both Surf Life Saving Central Coast and
Avoca Beach Surf Life Saving Club, told AAP.
"There's some rips there, and the surf can be quite big.
"It's why we always tell people to follow the basic messages of swimming between the
flags. That way you've got the best chance of being spotted if you get in trouble."
Some 300 to 500 rescues are carried out on the 1.7km stretch of beach each year.
Lifesavers are surprised Matthew got into trouble, saying most local kids know the
rules and how to get out of rips.
But Surf Life Saving Central Coast president Stuart Harvey said while Matthew
probably was a strong enough swimmer, anything could have happened.
"He could have hit his head, he could have been stung by a bluebottle, he could have
become exhausted," he told AAP.
Superintendent Geoff McKechnie said the teenager was a strong swimmer, adding the
surf on October 18, when he went missing, was quite big and the sea rough.
"I think from day one we held a view that the most likely scenario was that Matthew
had entered the water somewhere in the vicinity of Avoca Beach, Terrigal," he told
reporters at Gosford police station on Tuesday.
"It's clear the body found yesterday had been in the water for some considerable time."
Matthew's family were on Tuesday being supported by police.
"Whilst this news is not the outcome they were looking for, they are coping with it
as any family would at this stage," Supt McKechnie said.
"But we are offering as much support as we can to the family.
"Also I know the Department of Education is working with his fellow students."
Supt McKechnie said there was no evidence Matthew had problems in his personal life,
adding his trip to the beach was something that any lad in the area might have done.
Matthew's school uniform has not been recovered, and his body was clad in underwear.
The teenager vanished on October 18 after dropping his younger brother off at a
primary school in Terrigal.
He was expected to walk to nearby Terrigal High School but never arrived.
Some of his belongings, including his school bag and shoes were found at Avoca Beach
several days later.
Mr Beswick said the last fatality at Avoca Beach was a rock fisherman who died about
three years ago.
Surf Life Saving Australia describes Avoca Beach as "potentially hazardous".