Perth, Australia - Tragedy When Yeshiva Bochur Is Swept Away By Wave Into Sea

Perth, Australia - A 19 year old yeshiva bochur from New York who came to Perth on an educational program to spread Torah in Western Australia, passed away earlier this afternoon after being swept to sea. He was touring a beach south of Perth and was standing on a rock before a wave hit the rock and swept him away into sea.

Attempts to recover his body are hindered due to stormy weather in the area.

The 19 year old bochur, Avinoam Grossman, leaves behind a grieving family and friends.

U/D: 07/09/06 18:01
HOPES are fading for an American tourist swept off rocks into heavy seas off the West Australian coast.
The 19-year-old man was with three or four other American tourists at Torpedo Rocks near Yallingup, south of Perth, when a wave swept him away.
An air search was conducted for the man who was last seen about 50 metres south of the rocks, waving in apparent distress, police said. An air and sea hunt resumed at first light today, WA police's Sergeant Brian Cowie said. Sgt Cowie said the search would continue until dusk but hopes of finding him alive were dwindling."If the man is not found today we will hold grave fears for his safety," Sgt Cowie said."The expectations of him being found alive are dwindling."

Heavy seas had so far prevented police divers from joining the search, he said.The search will continue tomorrow but may be scaled down.