Miraculous twist in search for missing surfer
Darcy Deefholts, 19, did not return after going surfing at One Tree, Wooli, on the state's North Coast on Wednesday afternoon.
His father Terry Deefholts, a real estate agent from Grafton, raised the alarm with a frantic call on social media, saying he was 'fearing the worst'.
Mr Deefholts issued an emotional plea to the community on Wednesday night following the disappearance.
'HELP – I NEED BOATS, BEACH WALKERS, DRONES AND 4WDs and PLANES AT FIRST LIGHT,' the post read.
'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.'
Mr Deefholts said at the time the family were 'fearing the worst' but urged readers of the post to 'please save comments for those wishing to help with the search'.
In an incredible development, the teen was found on Thursday morning, almost 13km out to sea on North Solitary Island off Wooli.
Mr Deefholts described the story of survival 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,' he told The Daily Telegraph.
He said Darcy was receiving medical treatment and that he 'could not fathom' how the teen survived the eight mile crossing out to sea.
'I'm still just processing everything. We've had no sleep and it has been a lot to deal with,' he said.
It comes as only hours prior to his finding father Terry issued a desperate plea to go and search the island.
'Boats need one to go straight to north west solitary island,' he said in an update online.
'That's where they found a person last year that got washed up.'
Mr Deefholts' Facebook post now has more than 1100 shares, with members of the community flocking to offer assistance and well wishes.
In a statement on Thursday morning, NSW Police said Darcy left his home in Wooli on a bicycle about 2.30pm on Wednesday and headed towards Wooli Beach.
'When he failed to return home, concerned family members contacted officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District,' police said.
'Concerns are held for Darcy's welfare as his disappearance is out of character.
'Darcy is described as being of caucasian appearance, of slim build, about 180cm tall, with black hair.'
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray said Marine Rescue NSW vessel Wooli 30 was tasked just before 10pm on Wednesday with the search and rescue mission.
'A volunteer crew was rapidly assembled and Wooli 30 deployed,' Inspector Murray said.
'The crew searched waters from Bare Point in the north to Freshwater Beach in the south.
'Wooli 30 returned to base at 1am after being stood down for the night.'
Inspector Murray said Wooli 30 and Coffs Harbour 30 were back on the water at 8am on Thursday to continue the search.
'The volunteer crews will conduct search patterns under the direction of Marine Area Command,' he said.
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