Days since a teen Australian surfer went missing off a northern New South Wales beach, he was found alive on a secluded island miles from the shore, reported the New York Times.
The 19-year-old, Darcy Deefholts, went surfing on Wednesday afternoon at One Tree, Wooli, on the state North Coast when he went missing without a trace.
Father’s Desperate Call for Assistance
Darcy’s dad, Terry Deefholts, a Grafton real estate broker made a public emotional plea on social media, assuming the worst.
“HELP – I NEED BOATS, BEACH WALKERS, DRONES AND 4WDs and PLANES AT FIRST LIGHT. My boy Darcy is still missing,” he posted. “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.”
He also called for anyone who was able to assist him to meet him at the main Wooli boat ramp so that they could go out to sea together. “I am calling on everyone with a seaworthy boat to please take me to sea and assist in the search,” his post went on.
The ‘One-In-A-Million Miracle’
Although Terry had braced himself for the ‘worst,” relief came the next morning. On Thursday, Darcy was located nearly 13 kilometres offshore on North Solitary Island, just off Wooli.
Overwhelmed by the news, Terry described it as a ‘one-in-a-million miracle’.” Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, he said, “I haven’t had the chance to talk to him yet, I’m just so over the moon.”
