Missing teen surfer miraculously found on remote island after vanishing at sea

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.

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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."