A swimmer reported missing on Saturday afternoon from the Ballina coastline managed to make it back to shore without help from emergency services at the ready.
An extensive aerial and marine search involving Ballina Surf Lifesaving, Ballina Marine Rescue and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS) was launched around 2:15pm Saturday 17 January when the swimmer was reported missing between Lighthouse and Shelly Beach at East Ballina.
Staff from the WRHS said search crews witnessed the male swimmer return to shore safely and that he did not require medical assistance.
They later issued another statement saying no one requiring medical assistance had been found during the search.
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