A missing rock fisherman, who failed to return over night, was found by rescue crews alive at Hat Head on Tuesday afternoon.
A spokesperson for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service said the 33-year-old man from South West Rocks was winched to safety around 1pm.
“He fell around 3pm yesterday (Monday) while fishing on the rocks," the spokesperson said.
"He suffered a badly broken ankle from a fall and couldn't move to go get help.
"Our crew was fortunately able to winch him safely this afternoon.”
Emergency and rescue crews including police and Hat Head and Gladstone Rural Fire Service members had based themselves at the Gap Beach carpark.
A Marine Rescue boat from Port Macquarie was also called into action to search for the missing fisherman.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter transported the injured fisherman to Port Macquarie Base Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
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