Missing teen Darcy Deefholts found alive on remote island: ‘One-in-a-million miracle’

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.

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.

“HELP – I NEED BOATS, BEACH WALKERS, DRONES AND 4WDs and PLANES AT FIRST LIGHT,” his 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.”

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.

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 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.

“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.

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.

“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 10 p.m. 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.

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.