A missing surfer who spent the night stranded on a remote uninhabited island may have paddled there instead of being swept out to sea, authorities believe.
Darcy Deefholts, 19, vanished while surfing at Wooli, on NSW’s north coast, on Wednesday afternoon.
His parents raised the alarm when the teenager did not come home, sparking a massive search operation which saw him miraculously rescued from North Solitary Island, about 13km off shore, 18 hours later.
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While authorities originally thought Deefholts was sucked out to see by a rip, police now believe he made his way there intentionally, the Daily Telegraph reports.
It is understood his actions are being treated as a mental health incident.
When Deefholts failed to return home, police launched a marine rescue off Wooli Beach, with PolAir and local police also combing areas from Bare Point to Pebbly Beach.
The search was suspended on Wednesday night due to poor visibility, prompting pleas from Darcy’s parents to continue the search.
“Help, I need boats, beach walkers, drones, 4WDs and planes at first light,” Darcy’s father, Terry Deefholts, wrote.
“My boy Darcy is still missing … of course we are fearing the worst.
“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.
“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.”
Search and rescue operations resumed at 8am on Thursday and only an hour later rescuers found Darcy marooned on North Solitary Island.
His father said he “could not fathom” how his son survived the 12km crossing out to sea and was eager to speak with him.
“I haven’t had the chance to talk to him yet, I’m just so over the moon,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
“I’m still just processing everything. We’ve had no sleep, and it has been a lot to deal with.”
