A search resumed this morning for a man believed to have been swept into seas off Coffs Harbour yesterday evening.
Crews from Marine Rescue Coffs Harbour and Marine Rescue Woolgoolga joined the multi-agency operation, searching south to Sawtell and up to 6nm out to sea until they were stood down just after lunch.
Emergency services were called to the Coffs Harbour southern break wall about 6pm yesterday, in response to reports a man had disappeared while walking along the pathway.
A 24-year-old woman told police she had been walking in front of the man when a large wave struck the break wall behind her; she turned around and the man had disappeared.
Officers attached to Coffs/Clarence Police District, Marine Area Command – NSW Police Force, Marine Rescue Coffs Harbour, NSW Ambulance, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service – Official Site, Surf Life Saving NSW and Coffs Harbour Lifeguards responded.
A short time later, police were approached by a local family, concerned that their 20-year-old son had not returned home from a walk along the beach; his car was found in the Gallows Beach car park.
Coffs 30 searched the waters around the breakwall, Korffs Islet and Muttonbird Island until the operation was called off for the night in failing light. The crew was Mitch Harvey, Jayson Palczewski, Bob Ford and Paul McLeod, with communications support from Ken Brandli and Lindy Powells in the MR Coffs Harbour radio base.
The search was suspended at 10pm; however, patrols of the foreshore continued throughout the night but there was no sign of the man.
Members of his family and friends gathered on the foreshore this morning in a sad vigil to watch the search.
The missing man is described as being aged in his 20s, of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, with a muscular build and with dark hair. He may have been wearing a red shirt, with grey or beige shorts and red shoes. Anyone with information about this incident should contact Coffs Harbour Police or Crime Stoppers.
The crew on board Woolgoolga 30 today was skipper Darryl Hamilton, Tony Skalla, Brian Taylor and Jaide Wall, along with Marine Rescue Middle Harbour member Brett Eagle, holidaying from Sydney on the Mid North Coast.
The crew of Coffs 30 was skipper Bernie Tight, David Oliver, Paul McLeod and Ken McNeil.
Communications support was provided by Jane Leach and Brett Banwell in the MR Coffs Harbour radio base at David Forge and Shirley Teague at MR Woolgoolga.
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