Suspected human remains of missing schoolie Astin Gerstl found on beach

Suspected human remains of missing schoolie Astin Gerstl have been found on the same NSW beach where he went missing.

The 18-year-old, who was celebrating schoolies with mates, got into trouble in the water at Little Bay Beach in Arakoon about 4.20pm on Sunday.

Police, Marine Area Command and Surf Life Saving NSW searched the area for several days but were unable to find him.

Police were called to the same beach about 7.30am on Friday following reports suspected human remains had been found by a member of the public.

“The remains have been taken for forensic examination,” a police spokesman said.

“A report will be prepared for the coroner.”

Mr Gerstl was celebrating the end of the HSC exams with school friends when he went missing from the Mid North Coast beach.

The area is not patrolled by lifesavers and the National Parks and Wildlife Service website says beaches in the Arakoon National Park “can have strong rip currents”.

NSW Police Chief Inspector Mick Aldridge said on Monday witnesses and bystanders tried to get Mr Gerstl out of the water, but he was dragged out to sea.

“A member of the National Parks was also trying to get him out of the water,” he said.

Mr Gerstl was a student King’s School in Parramatta, one of Sydney’s most prestigious private schools, and had just graduated Year 12 when he went missing.

Headmaster Stephen Edwards sent a letter to families during the search effort saying their thoughts and prayers were with Mr Gerstl’s 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,” the letter read.

“As the search continues, I ask that you keep the family in your prayers and hold them in your hearts.”

A marine search for Mr Gerstl was suspended earlier in the week as extreme conditions hampered search efforts.

Marine Resuce NSW Inspector Courtney Gleenslade told media detoriorating offshore conditions made it extremely challenging for volunteers as the search was suspended.

“Our volunteer crews battled a 25 to 30-knot south-westerly and a 1.5m swell, which is increasing,” she said.

“It has become quite uncomfortable, making it extremely challenging for our volunteers.”