Hope fading for missing boy in surf

Police have conceded they are now searching for the body of the eight-year-old Congolese boy who went missing in rough seas yesterday afternoon.The search by scores of emergency services personnel was called off in early evening and will resume tomorrow.It is believed that Elakimu Muteba entered the water with an 11-year-old female relative about 6.35pm yesterday and ‘‘almost immediately’’ got into trouble.Onlookers rushed to help but were unable to save the boy as he was pulled out to sea by a rip. options={AutoStart:false,DefaultQuality:"High",PlayerWidth:463,PlayerHeight:260}WATCH: Search for missing boy continuesWollongong Inspector Dan Richardson said police divers would be searching a number of rock shelves in the area to try and find the boy’s body.‘‘It’s fair to say, unfortunately at this stage we’re looking for the child’s body,’’ he said.The Rotary Club of Corrimal will launch an appeal to raise money for the boy's family.

Full details of the Eliacham Milolo Rotary appealThe search is being hampered by rough seas which have already brought one police rescue boat to strife.The small boat, containing police divers and their equipment, tipped near the rock pool at Towradgi about 10.30am.Surf life savers are now helping the divers right the boat and retrieve their equipment.The boat has also reportedly leaked fuel, with life savers told to decontaminate themselves after leaving the water.Milolo and his family, who live in Towradgi, are members of the Wollongong Church of Christ and senior minister Brett Gottle told the Mercury the youngster was known as ‘‘a joy’’ who loved to dance and socialise with other children.PolAir and the Westpac rescue helicopter are scouring an area between Bellambi and Wollongong this morning, while State Emergency Service volunteers are conducting a land search of beaches in the area.Last night a large crowd gathered at Towradgi Point as an ambulance helicopter, rescue boats and surf lifesavers searched for the missing child in deteriorating conditions.Green dye has been put into the water to allow emergency services to track the current south.Surf Lifesaving NSW Duty Officer Lachlan Pritchard said four inflatable rescue boats, a jet ski and several board paddlers took part in the search, which covered Corrimal and Towradgi beaches and the area off the Towradgi rock pool.The board paddlers left the water about 8pm due to failing light. Choppy conditions and poor visibility presented extra challenges for the search team.‘‘Our helicopter was going to come down, but they did a shark sighting and they could hardly see the shark, that’s how bad the water quality is,’’ Mr Pritchard said.‘‘All our members are out of the water at this stage due to the lack of light.’’Mr Pritchard reminded swimmers to use patrolled beaches and swim between the flags.Paramedics and other emergency services officers remained with the missing boy’s distraught family while the search was underway. It is understood family members were taken to Wollongong Hospital last night.