The deliberate setting off of an emergency beacon in Coffs Harbour this morning turned out to be a hoax, which cost the Westpac Rescue Helicopter thousands of dollars.
The helicopter, which is based in Lismore, made the dash to Coffs Harbour landing at the Polwarth Drive sports field.
After a search of the area by the rescue crew and police, the discarded emergency beacon was located in bushland in Griffiths Street.
The estimated cost of the hoax callout was around $5000.
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