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A missing surfer, 19, has been found alive in New South Wales, Australia, after spending a night at sea on his longboard, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
Darcy Deefholts was discovered by rescuers on a remote and unhabited island, located around eight miles off the shore of Wooli, 7 News reported
"It's a one in a million. Who survives this?" his father, Terry, said, per the ABC
A missing surfer has been found alive on a remote island located approximately eight miles offshore, according to reports.
On Thursday, July 10, the 19-year-old man — who had left his home in Wooli, New South Wales (NSW), Australia, at around 2:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, July 9 to head toward Wooli Beach — was "located safe" on "a small island" off the town, NSW Police Force said in a news release.
Per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the teenager has been identified as Darcy Deefholts, who was found after spending a night at sea on his longboard.
Darcy's bike, clothes, and shoes had been discovered at a spot known locally as One Tree, the outlet noted. He'd left his phone and smart watch at the family's house in Wooli.
Rescuers found the surfer at approximately 9 a.m. on the remote and uninhabited North Solitary Island, which is located around eight miles offshore, per 7 News.
Marine Rescue NSW
Marine Rescue NSW crews search for missing surfer Darcy Deefholts near Wooli, Australia
Without naming the teenager, Marine Rescue Wooli shared multiple videos from the search and rescue mission on Facebook on Thursday, writing in one caption, "What a great community we have in Wooli … So often we search for missing persons with no result or a devastating result, and this one made our day!"
Darcy's father, Terry Deefholts, said of the good news, per the ABC, "It's kind of surreal. I was at the point of thinking the absolute worst."
"I didn't give up hope, but jeez I was close," he added. "It's a one in a million. Who survives this?"
Family member Melissa Smith added, "He'd obviously gone out too far on his longboard and he couldn't get back," according to the ABC. "He's a survivor, a strong boy, he would have known that was a safe place I guess."
Auscape International Pty Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo
A photo of North Solitary Island, Australia
A spokesperson for the Northern NSW local health district confirmed that Darcy was in a stable condition and was under observation at Grafton Base Hospital, per The Guardian.
“The patient is in good spirits and is being supported by family,” they said, according to the outlet.
“The family would like to thank emergency services and members of the community involved in the search, after the alarm was raised late yesterday when he failed to return home from a surf," the spokesperson continued on Thursday.
Marine Rescue, as well as around six private vessels, had taken to the water amid the search to find Darcy on Thursday morning, the ABC noted.
Before Darcy was found, his dad Terry issued an emotional plea on Facebook.
"HELP - I NEED BOATS, BEACH WALKERS, DRONES AND 4WDs and PLANES AT FIRST LIGHT," he wrote on Wednesday. "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," Terry added in the post, confirming his son had gone surfing at around 4 p.m. that day with his cream Malibu surfboard.
"Of course we are fearing the worst. Please save comments for those wishing to help with the search. 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," Terry wrote.
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Rescue skipper Matthew McLennan said, "It's rare that we ever get to participate in a search with an outcome such as this," as noted by the ABC. "It was really heartwarming to see how many community members jumped to the call."
McLennan said that the crew had found Darcy "cold and suffering from a bit of exposure, but...uninjured," the outlet reported.
The Northern NSW Local Health District and the Marine Rescue Wooli didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. PEOPLE has also reached out to Terry's partner, Melissa Smith.
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