What started as a peaceful afternoon of surfing quickly turned into a harrowing 18-hour mystery for one New South Wales family.
But in a stunning turn of events, 19-year-old Darcy Deefholts was found alive and safe after disappearing off the Wooli Beach coast on Wednesday.
Surf Session Ends in Disappearance
Darcy had headed out around 2:30pm on Wednesday for a solo surf session near One Tree, a well-known breakwall surf spot in Wooli, part of NSW’s northern rivers region.
But when he didn’t return home that evening, concern quickly turned into fear.
His belongings—bike, clothes, and shoes—were discovered about 5km north of where he was last seen, setting off immediate alarm bells for both his family and local authorities.
Search Efforts Spark Massive Community Response
As the sun went down, rescue teams kicked into gear.
Emergency services were joined by local volunteers, with Darcy’s father, Terry Deefholts, putting out a heartfelt plea on social media:
“We need boats, drones, walkers—anyone who can help.
Please meet me at the main Wooli boat ramp.”
That call did not go unheard. Locals with seaworthy vessels, drones, and even planes joined in a determined overnight search.
Marine Rescue NSW and PolAir covered around 15km of coastline, from Bare Point to Pebbly Beach, into the early hours.
Found 13km Out to Sea on Remote Island
Just when hope was beginning to fade, around 9am on Thursday, Darcy was miraculously found alive on North Solitary Island, more than 13 kilometers offshore.
The winds had shifted during the night, likely pushing him southeast across open water.
He is now being treated by medical professionals, and his survival is being hailed as nothing short of a miracle.
Family Overwhelmed by Relief and Gratitude
Darcy’s father, visibly emotional, described the outcome as a “one in a million” moment.
“I haven’t had the chance to speak with him yet… but I’m over the moon.
We’ve had no sleep—it’s been overwhelming,” Terry told reporters.
Melissa Smith, Darcy’s mother, echoed the emotion, saying her son’s instinct likely saved him:
“He’s a survivor. I think he knew that island would be a safe place to wait.”
Marine Teams Praise Calm Conditions and Teamwork
Inspector John Murray of Marine Rescue NSW praised the quick coordination of volunteer crews.
Vessel Wooli 30 was launched just before 10pm on Wednesday, with crews continuing the search well into the night and returning again at sunrise.
“Conditions were favorable offshore, and that definitely helped,” Inspector Murray said.
A Community Breathes a Collective Sigh of Relief
News of Darcy’s rescue spread quickly online, where friends and neighbors flooded social media with emotional reactions:
“We are overwhelmed with tears of joy,” one person posted.
“Darcy, you’re so loved and we’re just glad you’re okay,” wrote another.
“So relieved for the whole family,” a third added.
An Unforgettable Story of Survival
While more details are still to come, what’s already clear is this: Darcy’s survival story has touched an entire community.
It’s a powerful reminder of the strength of family, the power of community, and the resilience of the human spirit—even when the odds are stacked against you in open water.