Police are about to resume a search for a man believed swept into seas off Coffs Harbour yesterday.
Emergency services were called to the Coffs Harbour southern break wall about 6pm (Thursday 21 January 2021), responding 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 attended and began searching the area, assisted by Marine Area Command, Marine Rescue, NSW Ambulance, Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter and Coffs Harbour Lifeguards.
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.
The search was suspended at 10pm; however, patrols of the foreshore continued throughout the night but there has been no sign of the man.
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.
The search is due to resume at 8am (Friday 22 January 2021), and will involve local police, assisted by Marine Area Command, Coffs Harbour Water Police, Marine Rescue, Surf Life Saving Australia, and local lifeguards.
Anyone with information about this incident should contact Coffs Harbour Police or Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
