“A man missing from the state’s north since yesterday has been located. The 19-year-old man left his home in Wooli on a bicycle about 2.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 9 July 2025) towards Wooli Beach. When he failed to return home, concerned family members contacted officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District. Following a land and water search around Wooli Beach including local police, PolAir, Marine Area Command and Marine Rescue, the man was located safe today (10 July 2025) on a small island off Wooli. Police thank the public and media for their assistance,” says New South Wales, Australia Police in a statement a little sparse on details about the missing man.
The Sydney Morning Herald filled in the rest: 19 year-old Darcy Deefholts had gone surfing but was swept out to sea, and was found on North Solitary Island 18 hours later, too dazed to speak.