Desperate search for a man, 20, swept out to sea by a giant wave while WALKING on a breakwall – as a horrified walker describes his last moments
A desperate search for a 20-year-old man who was hit by a giant wave while on a beach walk is underway.
Emergency services were called to the Coffs Harbour southern break wall, on the north coast of NSW, at about 6pm on Thursday following reports a man had disappeared.
A 24-year-old woman told police she was walking in front of the young man when a large wave hit the break wall behind her.
The man was walking along a breakwall in Coffs Harbour when a freak wave struck and dragged him out to sea
A desperate search for a 20-year-old man who was hit by a giant wave while on a beach walk is underway. Marine Rescue NSW are seen searching for the man overnight
'She turned around and the man had disappeared,' a police statement read.
Police, Marine Rescue, NSW Ambulance, Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter and Coffs Harbour Lifeguards arrived at the scene and began to search for the man.
A local family contacted police a short time later and said they were concerned their 20-year-old son had not returned from his beach walk.
The man's car was found in the Gallows Beach car park.
The search was suspended at 10pm on Thursday but is due to continue at 8am on Friday.
There were patrols of the foreshore overnight but there was no sign of the man.
Emergency services were called to the Coffs Harbour southern break wall, on the north coast of NSW, at about 6pm on Thursday following reports a man had disappeared
Marine Rescue NSW are scour the water for the man before the search was suspended at 10pm on Thursday. The search is due to resume at 8am on Friday
The man is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, with a muscular build and with dark hair.
Police said the 20-year-old may have been wearing a red shirt, with grey or beige shorts and red shoes.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Coffs Harbour Police.
Police, Marine Rescue, NSW Ambulance, Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter and Coffs Harbour Lifeguards arrived at the scene on Thursday and began to search for the man