Desperate search after Aussie man swept out to sea while saving swimmer
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.
Craig Laidley, 56, was walking along Balian Beach about 4.15pm on Wednesday when he heard 29-year-old Micro Stalla calling out for help.
The Perth man rushed into the water to save the German tourist, but unfortunately Laidley never made it back to shore after being swept out to sea by an "extreme" wave.
Laidley, who reportedly lives in Bali, was last seen “drifting back out to the ocean”.
He was reported missing to police about three hours later, and they immediately launched a search, with with Denpasar Search and Rescue Office head Nyoman Sidakarya confirming the search is still ongoing.
“[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,” Sidakarya said.
“Information from the team at the location is that the wave conditions are extreme," he added.
Rescue teams used rubber boats to search for Laidley within a 10km radius of where he was last seen and also scoured the coastline on foot.
Police have also conducted interviews with witnesses as part of their ongoing search.
One witness said that 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.”
Laidley's family have appealed to the public to help find him.
“Hello, our family is seeking assistance from the public in Bali,” Craig’s nephew posted on Facebook.
“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.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian reported missing in Indonesia.
Editors Update:
Craig Laidley’s body has been found on the beach on Friday morning by searchers. His two brothers, Bruce and Glenn, arrived in Bali overnight to join the search.
His family are still coming to terms with the loss, but have told 7News that they are proud of his heroic rescue and glad that his brothers were there to bring him home.
Images: Denpasar Search and Rescue Agency/ Facebook