There are serious concerns for the welfare of a young swimmer after he went missing at Valla Beach on the NSW North Coast earlier on Saturday afternoon. 


A search and rescue operation has been suspended due to fading light.



The State Operations Centre received reports just before 6pm that a 22-year-old had become caught in a rip while swimming at the unpatrolled beach and had vanished from view.



A multi-agency response was launched with the Westpac Life Saving Helicopter providing aerial support, and a North Coast Duty Officer also attending the scene.



Despite their best efforts they were unable to locate the missing man.



Emergency services will meet tomorrow morning with the search to resume as soon as conditions allow.



Surf Life Saving will make all assets available as requested with the search being led by NSW Police. 



 



Saturday 17 February 2018