A missing surfer who disappeared from the New South Wales coast yesterday afternoon has been found after spending the night marooned on an island.
Darcy Deefholts, 19, left his home in Wooli on a bike about 2.30pm and the alarm was sounded when he failed to return home after dark.
His clothes, bike and shoes were found near the beach in Wooli at a local spot known as One Tree.
A multi-agency land and water search kicked off to find Darcy, helped by a social media campaign launched by his father Terry.
Darcy was found about 9am today after spending the evening on a small island called North Solitary Island, located around 12km from Wooli.
The search had been suspended about 1am and resumed at 8am today, with Darcy found just an hour later.
His dad Terry told 9news.com.au the rescue has left him “humbled beyond words”.
Search party member Charles Statt said it was “surreal” how the community mobilised to find Darcy.
Terry said yesterday the family “feared the worst” when Darcy didn’t return home.
“We are overwhelmed by the community efforts in the search so far,” Terri said before his son was found.
“There is only one thing we want now – our beloved boy to be found safe.”
Terry used wind charts to determine the search party should target North Solitary Island at daybreak.
His educated guess was spot on.
Fellow searcher Casey Meaker told 9News he “nearly fell to the floor” when the news arrived that Darcy had been found.
He is now in a stable condition under observation at Grafton Base Hospital.
“The patient is in good spirits and is being supported by family,” a spokesperson for the Northern NSW Local Health District said.
“The family would like to thank emergency services and members of the community involved in the search, after the alarm was raised late yesterday when he failed to return home from a surf.
“The patient and family have requested privacy while they recover from the ordeal.”
