Tragic detail emerges after surfers rescued in Indonesia

The missing Aussie surfers were found alive on Tuesday, but amid giddy celebrations one tragic detail has emerged.

As Australia hailed the incredible survival tale of four mates who were rescued from the Indian Ocean on Tuesday one sad detail remained largely unreported.

Surfers Elliot Foote, Steph Weisse, Jordan Short and Will Teagle were found after 36 terrifying hours at sea.

They were on their way to an island paradise off the coast of Nias when their boat got into difficulty in bad weather.

Several hours later they were forced to climb onto their surf boards as their boat sank in the middle of the night.

Incredible moment three Aussies (Steph Foote, Will Teagle and Jordan Short) are rescued. Pic: Instagram.,

The friends had spent 36 hours at sea. Pic: Instagram.,

Mr Foote’s family were initially panicked as a shared Google document being used by the Aussies’ families was updated to say that just three of the surfers had been found.

Mr Foote had attempted to swim to land to raise the alarm but his friends were found first.

However, he was found a short time later and pictures showed him drinking a beer on dry land yesterday.

The Aussies’ rescue was largely thanks to Australian skipper Grant Richarson who knew the tides, wind and swell directions in the area and used his knowledge to plot out the surfers’ likely location.

Mr Richardson found the missing friends after sailing his catamaran Sea Mi Amore through the night on Monday, confident they could be found alive.

However, one of the three crew members on board the sunken boat was not so lucky and remained unaccounted for on Tuesday night.

Rescuers have grave fears for Indonesian Fifan Satria, who is still missing.

Elliot Foote shows off his injuries after being rescued. Picture: Instagram

Mr Foote had a well-deserved beer after reaching dry land. Pic: Instagram

Local search and rescue teams continue to scour the ocean in the hope he will be found alive.

Mr Richardson paid tribute to the rescued Aussies yesterday, saying their survival was largely down to their mateship.

Eight of Mr Foote’s friends were on another boat bound for a surf camp on Pinang Island but they managed to reach their destination safely.

The friends on Pinang banded together to liaise with the Australian government, the Indonesian authorities and frightened family members back home.

“It was a co-ordination between all parties involved to be able to bring them back safely but mainly their own mates,” Mr Richardson said.

“Their own mates bonded together ... they co-ordinated with the Australian government [and] the Indonesian government were also on board. It was just lucky we were there to be able to support these guys.”

Mr Foote’s father Peter, who had sent Elliot and his friends on the surf trip for his son’s 30th birthday, said Ms Weisse was “rattled” after being lost at sea.

Elliot Foote and Steph Weisse. Picture Instagram https://www.instagram.com/elliotfoote/?hl=en

Will Teagle. Picture: Supplied

Jordan Short. Picture: Instagram

“Steph is pretty rattled, it’s been a long time out there,” Mr Foote told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“They’ve been in the water a long time.

“They’re all best mates, they’d be hugging each other.”

Asked if Elliot would be rushing home to Australia, Mr Foote said: “No, I want him to finish his holiday.

“I am sure they are all fine. If the surf is great and the weather has come good and they are having a great time with their best mates, there is no point in him coming home.

“They are there for another eight days. Hopefully, they will feed them up and he will be back out there enjoying it. He has a great story to tell. They all do.”

Peter Foote was with film crews when he received a message telling him his son was alive.

“Hey Dad, Elliot here. I’m alive. Safe now. Love you. Chat later,” the message read.