Astin Gerstl search continues at Arakoon’s Little Bay Beach
An 18-year-old who went missing from a NSW beach has been identified as a former King’s School student as a search continues.
Astin Gerstl has been missing since Sunday, when he got into trouble while swimming at Little Bay Beach, Arakoon on the NSW Mid North Coast.
Astin Gerstl, an 18-year-old former King’s School student, has been missing since Sunday.Credit: The King’s School
The King’s School confirmed on Tuesday that he was a member of the 2025 graduating class.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this profoundly difficult time.
“The school is in contact with the family and will continue to provide support, while respecting their request for privacy,” acting headmaster Stephen Edwards said in a statement.
Support services have been made available to current and recently graduated students, he added.
Marine Rescue NSW volunteers resumed searching on Tuesday but stood down later in the morning amid deteriorating conditions.Credit: Marine Rescue NSW
Worsening conditions on a “very treacherous part of the coastline” was hampering rescue efforts on Tuesday, NSW Police Inspector Peter Walton said.
“We’ve got highly skilled police divers, water police operators that are trained in these conditions, but obviously, they need to operate safely.
