Overseas Tourists Stranded on Coffs Harbour Island

An afternoon walk for two overseas tourists became a rescue operation overnight in Coffs Harbour.

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter was called in to locate and rescue the pair after they became stranded on a small island.

It's understood that the two visitors had walked out to Flat Top Island, during low tide, before becoming stranded as the tide turned along with a rise of swell through the narrow channel.

Both decided to remain on the island and call emergency services. The Westpac Helicopter conducted a winch recovery using night vision goggles as the sea conditions were considered too unsafe for rescue vessel recovery at night.

Both stranded people were helicopter winched recovered using the air rescue vest and flown to Coffs Harbour Hospital for treatment.