A 16-year-old boy from Australia who lost his life trying to save a friend swept off rocks at a beach during a school trip has been identified.

Young Ahmad Alfarhan was standing with a group of seven others on rocks at Browns Beach in Innes National Park on the Yorke Peninsula on Saturday when one of them fell in the water.

Police Superintendent Mark Syrus said the following:

“The rocks down there are very very slippery and we believe one of the students slipped on the rocks.”

“We really see that as a really heroic act to try and rescue his mate,” Syrus added.

The others went back to shore but Ahmad did not.

A massive search was launched for him and his body was eventually pulled out from the water on Sunday morning.

One witness described the whole experience as “sheer hell”.

Ahmad’s loved ones gathered at the scene on Sunday.

“The boy’s father was here and tragic that he had to witness his young son being located,” Syrus said.

The 16-year-old was in Year 11 at the Pinnacle College in Elizabeth and loved playing soccer.

His buddies said he was incredibly kind and would have risked his life for anyone.

In an interview for 7NEWS, friend Wassim Badawi said:

“He loves everyone, he loves to help everyone”

“If he saw someone that needs help, he will help.”

A GoFundMe fundraizer was launched for Ahmad’s family and it has so far raised more than $35,000 in just a day.

“We just want to support the family and give back so they can properly bury their son and grieve,” the page organiser wrote.