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Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- 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."
Newsweek
11-07-2025
- Newsweek
Missing Teen Found Alive Day After Being Swept Out to Sea
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Darcy Deefholts, a 19-year-old surfer, was found alive on North Solitary Island, about eight miles off the northern coast of New South Wales, Australia, on Thursday after spending a night adrift at sea. The Context The multiagency search effort began after Deefholts' family discovered his clothes at a beach access point at Wooli, east of Grafton, ABC News in Australia reported. The family alerted police and Marine Rescue NSW to his disappearance. Marine Rescue NSW crews searched the Australian waters from Bare Point in the north to Freshwater Beach in the south for a missing 19-year-old surfer. Marine Rescue NSW crews searched the Australian waters from Bare Point in the north to Freshwater Beach in the south for a missing 19-year-old surfer. Marine Rescue NSW What To Know Deefholts was seen fishing at the Wooli break wall around 3 p.m. Wednesday. His family found his bike, shoes and clothes about three miles north. His father, Terry Deefholts, asked the public for assistance on Facebook. "HELP – I NEED BOATS, BEACH WALKERS, DRONES AND 4WDs and PLANES AT FIRST LIGHT," Terry wrote. Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray said in a press release that crews searched the waters from Bare Point in the north to Freshwater Beach in the south beginning around 10 p.m. Wednesday. The search was temporarily suspended overnight before resuming the next morning. Darcy was found about 9 a.m. on North Solitary Island after drifting out to sea on his longboard. Terry called his son's survival "one in a million" in comments to The Daily Telegraph. A rescue skipper told ABC News that Darcy was found cold and suffering from mild exposure, but he was not injured. He was taken to Grafton Base Hospital for assessment. What People Are Saying Terry Deefholts, in comments to ABC News: "It's kind of surreal. I was at the point of thinking the absolute worst." Family member Melissa Smith, in comments to ABC News: "He'd obviously gone out too far on his longboard and he couldn't get back. He's a survivor, a strong boy, he would have known that was a safe place I guess." Marine Rescue NSW, on Facebook: "Our search crews from Marine Rescue Wooli & Marine Rescue Coffs Harbour were jumping for joy this morning when the call came across their radios that the missing 19-year-old man on the North Coast was found safe on an island off Wooli. What an incredible outcome!" What Happens Next A spokesperson for the Northern NSW Local Health District told ABC News that Darcy was in a stable condition at Grafton Base Hospital and "in good spirits and being supported by family." Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@
New York Post
11-07-2025
- New York Post
Missing Australian teen found alive on remote island after vanishing while surfing
A teenager who seemingly vanished after going for a surf off a northern NSW beach has been found alive on a remote island miles offshore. Darcy Deefholts, 19, did not return after going surfing at One Tree, Wooli, on the state's North Coast on Wednesday afternoon. Advertisement 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.' Deefholts issued an emotional plea to the community on Wednesday night following his son's disappearance. 4 Darcy Deefholt has been found alive on a remote island miles offshore. Terry Deefholt / Facebook 'HELP – I NEED BOATS, BEACH WALKERS, DRONES AND 4WDs and PLANES AT FIRST LIGHT,' his post read. Advertisement '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.' 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'. Advertisement In an incredible development, the teen was found on Thursday morning, almost 13km out to sea on North Solitary Island off Wooli. 4 The 19-year-old did not return after going surfing at One Tree, Wooli, on the state's North Coast on Wednesday afternoon. Marine Rescue NSW 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. Advertisement He said Darcy was receiving medical treatment and he 'could not fathom' how the teen survived being swept miles out to sea. 'I'm still just processing everything. We've had no sleep and it has been a lot to deal with,' Deefholts said. Only hours earlier, Deefholts had issued a desperate plea to search nearby islands. 4 In an incredible development, the teen was found on Thursday morning, almost 8 miles out to sea on North Solitary Island off Wooli. Google Earth '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.' Deefholts's Facebook post now has more than 1100 shares, with members of the community flocking to offer assistance and well wishes. '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 currently,' he wrote at the time. Advertisement In a statement on Thursday morning, NSW Police said Darcy left his home in Wooli on a bicycle about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday and headed towards Wooli Beach. 4 Deefholts described the story of survival as a 'one-in-a-million miracle.' Google Earth '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. Advertisement '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 10 p.m. on Wednesday with the search-and-rescue mission. 'A volunteer crew was rapidly assembled and Wooli 30 deployed,' Inspector Murray said. Advertisement 'The crew searched waters from Bare Point in the north to Freshwater Beach in the south. 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.
ABC News
10-07-2025
- ABC News
Missing surfer Darcy Deefholts located after spending a night marooned on offshore island
A 19-year-old surfer has been found on an offshore island off the New South Wales north coast following a multi-agency search for the teenager. The alarm was raised after dark on Wednesday night when Darcy Deefholts's clothes were found at a beach access point at Wooli, east of Grafton. Family member Melissa Smith said Mr Deefholts's uncle was among searchers who found him about 9am on North Solitary Island. "He'd obviously gone out too far on his long board and he couldn't get back," she said. Terry Deefholts said he couldn't believe his son Darcy had been found. "It's kind of surreal. I was at the point of thinking the absolute worst," Mr Deefholts said. "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." It had been a tough night for Darcy Deefholt's family. They knew the teen had been seen fishing at the Wooli breakwall about 3pm on Wednesday, and riding around town on his bike. They had found his bike, clothes and shoes about 5 kilometres north of the breakwall at a spot known locally as One Tree. They believed he had a Malibu surfboard with him, but his phone and smart watch had been left at their house in Wooli. Wooli Marine Rescue volunteers and community members launched a search effort on Wednesday, with vessels searching along the beach and out into the ocean well into the night. "The crew searched waters from Bare Point in the north to Freshwater Beach in the south," Marine Rescue NSW Inspector John Murray said. "Wooli 30 [Marine Rescue vessel] returned to base at 1am after being stood down for the night." The search resumed at 8am today with favourable conditions offshore. Terry Deefholts thanked the community response across Wooli and Grafton who all mobilised to help find his son.
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.
