Boy swept from W Coast rocks

Foul weather is hampering the search for a 15-year-old swept off rocks at a West Coast beach yesterday.

Search controller Constable Sean Judd said the boy and a friend were swept into the sea at Joyce Bay, Charleston, about 27km southwest of Westport, an area notorious for freak waves.

One managed to scramble back on to the rock but his friend was pulled away from shore.

Neither the Coastguard nor surf rescuers had been able to put to sea in the rough conditions.

Two helicopters were stood down yesterday afternoon after a search found no sign of the boy.