A 19-year-old surfer who went missing off the NSW North Coast has been found alive on a remote island, ending a frantic search that brought together emergency crews and the local community.
Darcy Deefholts disappeared after heading out for a surf at One Tree, near Wooli, on Wednesday afternoon.
When he didn’t come home, his family became worried and reached out for help, with his father Terry Deefholts posting an urgent message on Facebook: “HELP – I NEED BOATS, BEACH WALKERS, DRONES AND 4WDs and PLANES AT FIRST LIGHT.”
The post quickly spread, with more than 1,100 shares and an outpouring of support from the community.
Darcy’s bike and clothes were found at a beach access point, but his phone and smart watch were left at home. Marine Rescue NSW, police, and volunteers searched the coastline and ocean through the night, covering waters from Bare Point to Freshwater Beach.
Terry, who is from Grafton, said at the time, “My boy Darcy is still missing. Marine Rescue searched tonight from Bare Point to Pebbly Beach at sea. They have been stood down for the night but expect they will be back early to resume the search. I am asking anyone with a seaworthy vessel to please meet me at the main Wooli boat ramp and take me to sea to help with the search.”
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray led the rescue mission.
“A volunteer crew was rapidly assembled and Wooli 30 deployed,” Inspector Murray said, per news.com.au.
“The crew searched waters from Bare Point in the north to Freshwater Beach in the south.”
On Thursday morning, the search had a breakthrough. Darcy was found alive on North Solitary Island, about 13 kilometres offshore. His uncle was among those who reached the island and found him around 9am.
Family member Melissa Smith explained, “He’d obviously gone out too far on his long board and he couldn’t get back. He’s a survivor, a strong boy, he would have known that was a safe place I guess,” per ABC.
Terry described the moment to The Daily Telegraph as a “one-in-a-million miracle”.
“I haven’t had the chance to talk to him yet, I’m just so over the moon. I’m still just processing everything. We’ve had no sleep and it has been a lot to deal with. It’s kind of surreal. I was at the point of thinking the absolute worst. I didn’t give up hope, but jeez I was close. It’s a one in a million. Who survives this? Just quietly, I’ll kill him,” he said.
He also thanked everyone who helped: “We are overwhelmed by the community efforts in the search so far. There is only one thing we want now – our beloved boy to be found safe.”
Darcy is now receiving medical care. The family and community are still coming to terms with what happened, but the relief is clear after such a tense night and morning.
The post ‘Who Survives This?’: Missing 19 Y.O. Surfer Found Alive On Island 13km Off NSW Shore appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
