Just after 3.30pm today, emergency services were called to the scene after reports of a missing swimmer.

Witnesses have told police a 25-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman entered the water before getting into trouble. 

Noticing the pair were in trouble, a member of the public went to the assistance of the distressed swimmers, however, was only able to help the woman to shore before raising the alarm for the second swimmer. 

Shortly after, council lifeguards and the North Coast Duty Officer attended along with Surf Life Saving jetskis, two Woolgoolga SLSC IRBs (Inflatable Rescue Boats), Water Police jetskis and the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter arrived on scene to join the search for the missing man.

Woolgoolga SLSC president and SLS North Coast Duty Officer Les Pepper was one of the first on the scene with a jetski, "conditions weren't too bad this afternoon, with a two-to-three foot swell and a moderate wind," Mr Pepper said.

"It appears that the swimmers have just unfortunately walked straight from the carpark to the water where there is a strong rip and it has brought them unstuck." 

The search was called off shortly after 7pm by Police Marine Area Command with assets to resume the search at first light on Friday. 

It is understood the missing man is a 25-year-old Iraqi student.

This area has seen four drownings since the start of December with three Indian nationals drowning at Moonee Beach on the same day.

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