Miracle rescue: Missing surfer found alive on remote island after being swept 8 miles into the ocean—Family and rescue team celebrate ‘one in a million’ survival story as teen shares harrowing ordeal, hope and gratitude after days lost at sea and overcoming adversity

Darcy Deefholts was discovered by rescuers on the morning of Thursday, July 10, on an uninhabited island off the coast of Wooli in New South Wales, Australia

A missing surfer has been found alive on a remote island located approximately eight miles offshore, according to news reports and local authorities.

On Thursday, July 10, the 19-year-old man — who had left his home in Wooli, New South Wales (NSW), Australia, 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, the NSW Police Force said in a news release.

According to 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.

Deefholts’ bike, clothes and shoes were discovered at a spot known locally as One Tree, the outlet reported. He’d left his phone and smartwatch at the family’s house in Wooli.

Rescuers found the surfer around 9 a.m. local time on Thursday on the remote and uninhabited North Solitary Island, which is located around eight miles offshore, according to 7 News.

Marine rescue crews search for missing surfer Darcy Deefholts near Wooli, Australia.Marine Rescue NSW

Without naming the teenager, Marine Rescue Wooli shared multiple videos of their work on Facebook on Thursday, writing in one caption: “So often we search for missing persons with no result or a devastating result, and this one made our day!”

“It’s kind of surreal. I was at the point of thinking the absolute worst,” Terry Deefholts, Darcy’s father, said of the good news, according the ABC

Marine Rescue NSW crews are pictured searching for missing surfer Darcy Deefholts near Wooli, Australia.Marine Rescue NSW

“I didn’t give up hope, but jeez I was close,” Terry added. “It’s a one in a million. Who survives this?”

Family member Melissa Smith also said, “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,” Smith said.

North Solitary Island, Australia.Auscape International Pty Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo

A spokesperson for the local health district confirmed that Darcy was in a stable condition and was under observation at Grafton Base Hospital, The Guardian reported.

“The patient is in good spirits and is being supported by family,” the spokesperson said.

“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 added.

Rescue officials, as well as around six private vessels, aided in the search for Darcy, according to the ABC.

Before Darcy was found, his dad issued an emotional plea on Facebook.

“Of course we are fearing the worst. Please save comments for those wishing to help with the search,” Terry wrote. ‘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.”

Rescue skipper Matthew McLennan said that he was gladdened by how people had rallied around the family.

“It’s rare that we ever get to participate in a search with an outcome such as this,” he said, according to the ABC. “It was really heartwarming to see how many community members jumped to the call.”

McLennan said that the crew found Darcy “cold and suffering from a bit of exposure, but … uninjured,” the outlet reported.

Health and rescue officials didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.