Letter for boy sucked into NSW drain

The sister of an 11-year-old found dead in a NSW creek has written a heartfelt letter about the boy who, she says, will be watching over his family.

An 11-year-old boy who was sucked into a storm water drain in Wollongong should be remembered as a symbol of love and hope, his older sister says.

News Corp Australia has published a letter written by 18-year-old Brooke Teasdale, after the body of her brother Ryan was found in a creek bed at the end of an Unanderra storm water drain on Friday.

Ms Teasdale says Ryan is watching over his family with a grin and that she will remember him as the "happy boy who always has food on his face".

"I love you to the moon and back, Ry-Ry," she said.

Ryan was last seen riding a bodyboard with his brother and friends down a muddy slope in Riley Park on Thursday afternoon, as torrential rain swept through the area.

His 13-year-old brother raised the alarm, before Ryan's body was found about 500 metres away from the park the next day.

Ms Teasdale said she questions how she could go on living without her little brother, before thanking everyone who had shown her family support..

"Let's make sure we remember Ryan as a symbol of love, and a symbol of hope," she said.

"Life is precious and unpredictable, so go out and tell your loved ones that you love them."