Desperate search to find missing Aussie in Bali after being swept out to sea

A desperate search is underway for an Australian man who got swept out to see while rescuing a tourist from drowning in Bali.

A desperate search is underway for an Australian man who got swept out to sea while saving a tourist from drowning on a Bali beach on Wednesday.

Craig Laidley, 56, from Perth, was walking on Balian Beach in Tabanan on the west coast, at about 4.30pm when he heard a German man call out for help.

Micro Stalla, 29, had been swept away in rough seas and was pleading for help when Mr Laidley heroically rushed in and saved the man’s life.

Mr Laidley, however, never made it back to shore himself.

Craig Laidley, 56, from Perth, got swept out to see while rescuing a tourist from drowning on a Bali beach on Wednesday. Picture: Facebook

The 56-year-old, who reportedly lives in Bali, was last seen “drifting back out to the ocean”.

Denpasar Search and Rescue Office head Nyoman Sidakarya said 10 people on his team have been scouring the land and sea for signs of Mr Laidley since Wednesday night.

His family have issued a desperate plea asking for assistance from the public in Bali to help locate the 56-year-old. Picture: Instagram

“[On Wednesday] night our team tried to search for victims using land searches and today the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office dispatched 10 people with land and sea SRU divisions,” Mr Sidakarya said.

Rescue teams used rubber boats to search for Mr Laidley within a 10km radius of where he was last seen and also scoured the coastline on foot.

Denpasar Search and Rescue Office dispatched 10 people with land and sea SRU divisions. Picture: Denpasar Search and Rescue Agency

Local search agency on the scene on Balian Beach, Tabanan. Picture: Denpasar Search and Rescue Agency

Authorities say wave conditions are currently extreme and the search is being conducted by the land. Picture: Denpasar Search and Rescue Agency

“The wave conditions are currently extreme and the search is being conducted by the land.”

“Information from the team at the location is that the wave conditions are extreme.”.

Police have also been conducting interviews with witnesses as part of their ongoing search.

Mr Laidley’s nephew took to social media pleading to the public to help find his beloved uncle.

Bali police talk with witnesses as part of the search for the missing Aussie. Picture: Indonesian Police

Bali police continue talks with witnesses. Picture: Indonesian Police

“Hello, our family is seeking assistance from the public in Bali,” he wrote.

“Craig was last seen helping a male that was reportedly drowning in the ocean between Tebing Balian rocks near Balian Beach.

“He was then seen drifting back out to the ocean after saving this man’s life.”

The search is set to continue on Friday morning. Picture: Indonesian Police

A spokesperson from the search and rescue agency Basarnas I Gusti Ayu Yanti told ABC News they had not given up on finding Mr Laidley alive.

Witness Wayan Sudarma said there were no warning signs around the beach, despite the dangers.

“Incidents like this happen often here,” he told the ABC.

“About four months ago, a foreigner went missing. He was found dead 4 hours later.”

“In the last five years, there have been five incidents like this.”

The search is set to continue on Friday morning.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian reported missing in Indonesia.

“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment,” a spokesperson said.