A local’s advice about weather patterns was the key to rescuing a teen surfer who was swept to sea and later found alive 13km off the coast on an island.
Locals and authorities began searching for Darcy Deefholts, 19, early on Thursday morning after he was reported missing on Wednesday afternoon.
The young man had last been seen fishing in Wooli in northern NSW, before he left his clothes and bike at a nearby beach and went for a surf and did not return.
It sparked a search effort that endured into the night, and his father, Terry Deefholts, made a desperate callout for assistance.
While marine rescue combed a 15km stretch of the sea, Mr Deefholts received information that proved critical in locating his boy.
‘A very smart friend has made some calculations,’ he said.
His friend, a veteran rescuer with two decades of experience, considered the wind and tidal charts and told boats they should go ‘straight to’ one area in particular.
Dominant winds overnight hailed from a north northeasterly direction, which he assessed were likely to have pushed the 19-year-old to the south of his last known location – the surf break dubbed ‘One Tree’.
Darcy Deefholts (pictured), 19, did not return home after spending the afternoon at One Tree in Wooli on the northern NSW coast
‘Boats need one [team] to go to North Solitary Island, that’s where they found a person last year that got washed out,’ the rescuer said.
‘Any people in a 4WD can (search) Station Creek Beach, that’s where [he] could have made it to.
‘I just did the tides and wind and looked at the maps.’
At 8am on Thursday, one boat headed for the small island – 13km from One Tree – and found Darcy. It is understood Darcy’s uncle was aboard the vessel.
It is not yet known how much of the night Darcy spent on his surfboard, or if he was able to take refuge on the island overnight.
His mother believed he had paddled too far from shore in search of breaking waves before he was swept away.
‘He’s a survivor, a strong boy, he would have known that was a safe place,’ she said of North Solitary Island, according to the ABC.
Mr Deefholts was overcome with emotion.
‘I didn’t give up hope, but jeez I was close… It’s a one in a million. Who survives this?’
Rescuers located Darcy at a small island off the coast of northern NSW about 13km from where he went surfing
‘I haven’t had the chance to talk to him yet, I’m just so over the moon,’ his dad told the Daily Telegraph.
‘I’m still just processing everything. We’ve had no sleep and it has been a lot to deal with.’
Darcy is now receiving medical attention.
Mr Deefholts had previously pleaded for locals to help him find his son when learning of his disappearance.
‘I need boats, beach walkers, drones and 4WDs and planes at first light,’ he wrote on social media.
‘I’m 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.
‘Of course we are fearing the worst. 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.’
Police and marine rescue crews conducted searches as members of the public offered their assistance
Marine rescue crews (above) worked into the night looking for Darcy on Wednesday
On Thursday, locals were overjoyed to hear Darcy had been found.
‘We are so overwhelmed here with tears of joy,’ one family friend wrote online.
‘Thank God he made it to Solitary Island,’ another added.
‘Darcy, you’re well loved and we are all so glad you were located safe and well.’
‘So relieved for everyone,’ a third added.
NSW Police released a statement during the search operation, revealing Darcy had left home on his bike on Wednesday afternoon.
‘When he failed to return home, concerned family members contacted officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District,’ the statement read.
‘Concerns are held for Darcy’s welfare as his disappearance is out of character.’
His phone and smartwatch had been left at home.
