Latest news with #Wooli30
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Missing teen surfer miraculously found on remote island after vanishing at sea
19-year-old Darcy Deefholts was presumed dead after the Australian teenager ended up missing while going for a surf in New South Wales, only to be round on a remote island A teen who vanished without a trace after heading out for a solo surf off the coast of northern New South Wales, in Australia, has been miraculously found alive after becoming stranded on a remote island more than eight miles out to sea. Darcy Deefholts, 19, sparked a desperate search after he failed to return from a Wednesday afternoon surf at One Tree Beach, near the quiet coastal town of Wooli. As daylight faded and fears grew, Darcy's father turned to social media in a heartbreaking plea for help. In a desperate plea to find his son, concerned parent Terry Deefholts wrote: 'HELP – I NEED BOATS, BEACH WALKERS, DRONES, 4WDs and PLANES AT FIRST LIGHT. Marine Rescue teams scoured the coastline from Bare Point to Pebbly Beach, but the search was suspended overnight, leaving a sleepless family clinging to hope. But in an astonishing twist of fate, Darcy was discovered alive the following morning on North Solitary Island, a desolate spit of land just over eight miles offshore. It was something his father described as a "one-in-a-million miracle." He added: "I haven't even spoken to him yet… I'm just so over the moon. I can't even begin to fathom how he survived. It's just a lot to process." Just hours before his son was found, Terry had begged boat owners to search nearby islands and even feared the worst but refused to give up, the NY Post reports. Taking to social media, he posted: 'Boats – need one to go straight to North West Solitary Island." But it was North Solitary where young Darcy would ultimately be found, battered but alive. His original post has since been shared more than 1,100 times, with strangers from across the state offering boats, drones, and even planes to aid the search. Thousands became invested in the post and prayed for a positive outcome. Updating them on the search, Terry wrote: 'We are overwhelmed by the community efforts. There is only one thing we want now – our beloved boy to be found safe.' NSW Police confirmed Darcy had left his Wooli home by bicycle at around 2.30pm on Wednesday and hadn't been seen since, sparking urgent concern due to the out-of-character disappearance. Darcy was described as slim, 180cm tall, with black hair and a quiet nature. Marine Rescue NSW swung into action late Wednesday, deploying rescue vessel Wooli 30 in a last-light search, which resumed early Thursday with help from Coffs Harbour crews. Inspector John Murray commented: 'The volunteer crews will conduct search patterns under the direction of Marine Area Command."
Perth Now
10-07-2025
- Perth Now
Dad's frantic plea as son goes missing
A father is 'fearing the worst' after his teen son failed to return home from a surf at a northern NSW beach and has called upon 'boats, beach walkers, drones and planes' to aid in the search. Terry Deefholts, a real estate agent from Grafton, put out the frantic call on social media after his son Darcy, 19, did not return after going surfing at One Tree, Wooli, on the state's North Coast on Wednesday afternoon. 'HELP – I NEED BOATS, BEACH WALKERS, DRONES AND 4WDs and PLANES AT FIRST LIGHT,' the post read. On board the Wooli 30 during search efforts in the night. Supplied / Marine Rescue NSW Credit: Supplied '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. 'As far as we can tell, Darcy took a cream Malibu surfboard with him to One Tree at Wooli and went for a surf in very small swell some time around 4pm. 'We think he was wearing a dark rashy.' Mr Deefholts said the family were 'fearing the worst' but urged readers of the post to 'please save comments for those wishing to help with the search'. Search efforts resumed on Thursday morning. Supplied / Marine Rescue NSW Credit: Supplied '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,' he posted. The Facebook post has more than 1100 shares, with members of the community flocking to offer assistance and well wishes. In a statement, 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. Anyone with information on Darcy's whereabouts is urged to contact Coffs Harbour police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
