Missing Aussie surfers found: How drama unfolded
Four Aussies who went missing off Indonesia have been found. See how they miraculously survived.
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Four Australian surfers who went missing off the coast of Indonesia have been miraculously found after their wooden boat sank.
Steph Weisse, Jordan Short and Will Teagle, were rescued about 11am AEST on Tuesday, The Daily Telegraph reports.
It was initially reported that Elliot Foote remained missing, but his father Peter confirmed that he had received a text message from his son saying that he was alive and well.
Elliot texted his father: “Hey Dad, Elliot here. I am alive, safe now, love you. Chat later.”
Back in Sydney a Google document being used by the four families and their friends, and seen by The Daily Telegraph, was initially updated at 11am to say all four had been found.
But there was then confusion and concern when the document was updated to state that while three of the group were found alive, Elliot’s location was unknown.
It is understood Elliot had left behind Steph, Jordan and Will to go in search of help, paddling towards a nearby island.
His girlfriend and two mates were then rescued as a group, while a boat continued to look for Elliot around his last known location.
AUSSIE SKIPPERS JOIN SEARCH
The dramatic rescue came after Australian skippers joined the search for the missing surfers.
Friends of the group on Banyak Islands revealed that at least three civilian vessels joined the official rescue efforts, with Grant Richarson of the Sea Mi Amor the latest to set off on the three-hour trip to the search area.
“A new Aussie skipper just came ashore to review maps, wind, tides and swell directions, one of the friends said.
“They will not be returning until the boys and Steph have been found.”
Local fishermen had also joined the frantic search.
Spokesman of Indonesian National Search and Rescue agency Nias Island Asanimu Waruwu said as many resources as possible were out searching, including locals who had their own boats.
“The search operation is continued today with focus on some suspected area around Banyak Island and surrounding,” he said.
“The search and rescue operation will be held involving a caravan aircraft from Susi Air, speedboat from search and rescue team of Banyak Island, and Rubber Inflatable Boat (RIB) of search and rescue team Nias.
“The search and rescue operation involving search and rescue teams from Nias, Banyak Island, Susi Air Crew from Gunung Sitoli, and locals.”
He would not respond to questions about whether further resources were needed but said they did not have any helicopters.
“But co-ordination is ongoing,” he added.
Steph Weisse, boyfriend Elliot Foote, and friends Jordan Short and Will Teagle, all from NSW, were among a group of 12 Australians travelling to Aceh’s Banyak Islands when the rough seas hit.
One boat carrying eight made it to safety, but the four on the second boat, plus three Indonesian crew, went missing.
Friends who made it to Banyak Islands told Stab Magazine that Richardson was the latest from the Australian community to join the search.
“Boats already on route to the new location include: Pulse and Dream,” the friend said.
“Other boats that have not responded are Seriti, Star Cota II, Jiwa, and Surf Camp assistance. UHF channel 16.”
Richardson and the Pulse have been contacted for comment.
The Australian charter boat captains joined Basarnas, the National Search and Rescue Agency in Indonesia, local fishermen and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which chartered a private plane to search the ocean before the search was postponed on Monday at sunset.
The two wooden long boats carrying the 17 people left Nias Island on Sunday on their way to Pinang.
The speedboats with 10 people on board sheltered on a nearby island, but the missing boat carried on amid the poor visibility.
“From morning until now, we have yet to find the speedboat which carried the seven people,” Octavianto told AFP yesterday.
“We will continue the search until tonight. If there is no result, the search and rescue team will be deployed again tomorrow at 0700.”
Earlier, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was working closely with Indonesian authorities.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those missing during this distressing time,” a spokesperson said.
SURFER’S POST BEFORE GOING MISSING
Elliot Foote, one of the rescued surfers, earlier shared how thrilled he was to be back in the island paradise just hours before he went missing.
“Soho gulah Sorake … so good being back in Indo after so many years. Sharing waves with mates and the queen,” Mr Foote wrote a day earlier.
“Starting the trip off with hiking in the North Sumatran jungle and seeing Orang-utans was an amazing experience and something that I look forward to doing again for a longer time and going deeper.
“Bukit Lawang is a beautiful spot with such kind people.”
The message was adjoined by photos of Mr Foote surfing alongside his partner, Ms Weisse.
GROUP PLANNED TO CELEBRATE 30TH BIRTHDAY
The group of 12 Australians in total had been travelling in Sumatra and on the island of Nias to celebrate Mr Foote’s 30th birthday.
On Instagram, Mr Foote shared details and photos of the groups travels, including to the popular nature park Bukit Lawang.
Mr Foote’s father, Peter Foote, told The Daily Telegraph he was at his home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs when he got the call.
“I think my heart stopped, all the blood drained from me, it’s horrible news,” he said.
“Then I had to go and tell everyone else, the boys who made it safely to the island.
“But I’m optimistic. The water (during the storm) apparently wasn’t that rough.
“ I assume the engine’s broken or the boat missed the island altogether in the storm …
“They’re probably just floating out there, they have some shelter and a bit of food.”
Mr Foote described the group as “resilient, resourceful kids”, and said he was “hoping for a call anytime.”
His son Elliot, who is a carpenter, is a former Scots College student.
He recently moved to Murwillumbah in northern NSW to be with Ms Weisse.
The elder Mr Foote had paid for his son to go on the trip to Indonesia with his 11 “best mates”.
The group were all high school friends from Sydney and surfing mates from northern NSW, as a gift for his 30th birthday.
In a statement released through DFAT earlier, the families of the four missing Aussies said they hoped to hear good news soon.
“Our hearts are aching at the thought that Elliot, Steph, Will and Jordan are missing at sea,” the four families said.
“We continue to pray and hold out hope they will be found.
“We’d like to thank the Indonesian authorities and the Australian government for their ongoing assistance while search efforts continue.
“We ask that the media respect the privacy of our family and friends during this distressing time.”
Mr Teagle’s sister Amy took to social media on Monday asking anyone who might be travelling in the area to offer assistance in the search.
“My brother and three of his mates are missing,” Ms Teagle said.
“Please if you know anyone in Sumatra that can offer any assistance let me know.”
Poor weather and visibility had hindered the ability of search parties to locate the missing Aussies.
The search followed a string of high-profile incidents involving Australians, particularly in Indonesia’s restive Aceh province.
Noosa man Bodhi Risby-Jones was asked to pay $61,000 to the families of people involved in alleged drunken rampage on Simeulue Island.
The island is likewise located off the western Sumatra coast nearby to where the four Australians disappeared on Sunday.
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