HOPES were dashed of finding Orange man Terry Brown alive after police said the search to find him had moved to a recovery mission.
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The 22-year-old CareWest employee was last seen at 7.15am on Sunday, in Forster, jumping from the headland into the water at Boomerang Beach during an Easter camping trip.
An extensive search began, involving officers from Manning Great Lakes Local Area Command, Police Airwing and specialist water and diving officers.
Also involved were Marine Rescue, Surf Life Saving and the Westpac Helicopter.
But by lunchtime on Monday police were treating the incident as a tragic accident.
CareWest CEO Tim Curran said he was close to Mr Brown’s aunt Sharlene Wright - who Mr Brown refers to as 'mum' - and spoke with her on Monday.
“This is tragic news over the Easter period,” Mr Curran said.
“This has impacted the CareWest community.
"[Ms Wright] is an incredible woman, who has raised quite a number of children, not just her own. She is an incredible mother.”
According to Manning Great Lakes Command Chief Inspector John Sullivan, Mr Brown was with a group of four when he jumped from rocks below Boomerang Headland.
“He was the first person into the water,” Inspector Sullivan said.
According to his friends, when the man resurfaced he was face down in the water and covered in blood.
An attempt was made to rescue Mr Brown, but it was unsuccessful, Inspector Sullivan said.
Mr Curran said Mr Brown was described as a dedicated worker who was always full of energy.
He said the CareWest community would rally behind Ms Wright and her family and support her as best it could.
Ms Wright said she would not leave the area until Mr Brown had been found.
