One in a million': Teenage surfer found on remote island off coast of Australia

A 19-year-old surfer is in a stable condition in hospital after being found safe on a remote island off the northern New South Wales coast of Australia in an outcome his father described as "one in a million".

- Rafqa Touma

Darcy Deefholts' family were "fearing for the worst", his father, Terry, said in a post to Facebook on Wednesday night calling for help in rescuing him.

Deefholts had left his home in Wooli at about 2.30pm on Wednesday, heading to Wooli beach, NSW police said. When he did not come home, his family contacted police.

NSW police said: "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 on a small island off Wooli."

Police later confirmed the teenager was found on North Solitary Island, a small, rocky nature reserve about 9 miles from the coast.