Moonee Beach, northern NSW: Search underway after man missing in surf

A young man is presumed to be missing in the ocean on the state’s North Coast after a Boxing Day swim, with a search and rescue mission currently underway. Here’s what we know.

Emergency Services are currently undergoing a Search and Rescue operation at North Moonee Beach, following reports of a young man missing in the ocean.

NSW Police are searching for Taewoo Kim, 21, who was reported missing at Emerald Beach yesterday evening.

Police were notified around 9:30pm of his disappearance after Taewood failed to return to his accommodation.

A NSW Police spokesman said the man is believed to have been missing since December 26, where he was last seen entering the water at Mooney Beach off Dammerel Crescent at 1pm.

Officers attended Moonee Beach last night after being alerted, where items believed to belong to Taewoo were located, however a larger-scale search and rescue mission was held off until this morning due to a lack of daylight.

A NSW Ambulance spokesman has told the Saturday Telegraph that they are assisting with the ongoing search, along with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Marine Area Command, SES, Surf Life Saving and Marine Rescue NSW have also assisted in a search of the area.

This is the latest in a series of water incidents this holiday season, including a young boy drowning at Avoca Beach on Christmas Eve, and a man drowning near Kiama on Boxing Day.

Since July 1 there have been 20 coastal drowning deaths in NSW.

Taewoo is described as being of Asian appearance, of slim build, about 175cm tall, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about Taewoo’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

MORE TO COME.