Search for man reported missing, washed off rocks at Murrays Beach, Sawtell found safe

A triple 000 call sparked a full scale search at Sawtell beach on Saturday morning as locals and holiday-makers watched on.

The fisherman at Sawtell Beach that police held concerns for has since come forward and is safe and well.

A triple 000 call around 7.15am on Saturday sparked a full scale search at Sawtell on Saturday morning, April 16.

A man was seen at the rocks at Murrays Beach by another beach goer according to Surf Life Saving NSW Duty Officer Les Pepper.

“He walked past him and down to the water then when he looked back up a few minutes later he was gone,” Mr Pepper said.

“The bloke did the right thing calling it in.”

Surf Life Saving crews launched two inflatable rescue boats, a jetski and their drone to search for the man from 7.30am through to 10.30am but found no trace of him.

The Westpac rescue helicopter also joined the search for approximately 30 minutes.

“We don’t even know if he was a fisherman or not.

“There was no equipment seen on the rocks or found washed up and nobody has been reported missing.”

Sawtell beach has been the scene of a number of near drownings in recent months.

Mr Pepper says the search has been suspended but their drone will continue to scan the water and patrol crews will remain at the beach until 4pm.

He was on patrol at Woolgoolga at the time.

“There are three to four foot waves out the back and about 30 people in the water but it’s pretty overcast and choppy.

“It’s not my cup of tea to go for a swim.”

Police media confirmed a 48-year old old Sawtell man reported himself as the person people were looking for. He matched the description given by the person who made the 000 call.