A 19 year old Irish man has been reported missing off the coast of Byron Bay in Australia.

The man was surfing off Tallow Beach with two friends when they got into difficulty. The others – aged 20 and 26 – sustained minor injuries but were rescued by volunteers.

The police, a Westpac helicopter and members of the Volunteer Rescue Association, launched a major search to find the Irishman. The search was called off this afternoon, local time, due to rough conditions.

The police are carrying out beach patrols this evening.