The 4 Australians who have been feared lifeless after their boat capsized in Indonesia miraculously survived the terrifying 36-hour ordeal by clinging to their surfboards.
Elliot Foote, his girlfriend Steph Weisse and their two pals Jordan Short and Will Teagle went lacking on Sunday night after their constitution boat didn’t return from a distant island off the coast of North Sumatra on account of dangerous climate.
The 4 pals have been discovered secure on Tuesday, together with two of the three Indonesians who have been additionally on the ship. A 3rd Indonesian man stays lacking.
Mr Foote, who traveled with 11 of his pals on a browsing journey to the distant island of Pinang to rejoice his thirtieth birthday, was seen on his good friend’s Instagram consuming a beer simply hours after his rescue was confirmed.
Back in Sydney, Will Teagle’s sister, Amy, described getting a FaceTime from her brother.
“He said the boat they were on sank in the middle of the night so it was pitch dark and they packed what they could,” she informed A Current Affair.
“They each managed to get a surfboard and then spent two nights in the ocean.
Elliot Foote pictured with girlfriend Steph Weisse were both rescued
The Aussies Jordan Short and Will Teagle have also been found
“He said they had no idea where they were, which direction they were facing. By the grace of God I think they managed to paddle in the right direction.
“It’s just very overwhelming.”
Steph, Jordan and Will have been discovered round 11am Sydney time on Tuesday by an Australian captain who left round 10pm native time on Sunday to seek for them.
But it was one other three hours earlier than Elliot, who had left the group to paddle for assist about 3 miles away from the group, was discovered.
Elliot’s father stated the invention of the three was “fantastic,” however described the stress of the hours earlier than his son was discovered.
“It was heartbreaking, as you can imagine,” Peter Foote informed A Current Affair.
“When I saw that video… and you hear that voice say, ‘Where’s Elliot?’ and they don’t have it.
“My heart just fell.”
This is the unbelievable second when Steph Weisse, Will Teagle and Jordan Short and an Indonesian crew member have been positioned after being misplaced at sea for 36 hours
The group was amongst a bunch of 12 Australians in two wood longboats touring between Nias Island and the Pinang Surf resort within the Banyak Islands, off the west coast of the mainland, when dangerous climate hit the ship on Sunday.
Elliot’s pals informed rescuers he paddled to the island for assist, and he was discovered there.
Toole stated the 4 didn’t know the destiny of their eight different pals till the time they have been at sea.
Speaking to 7News, Jill Weisse, Steph’s mom, stated she had felt helpless in the course of the search.
“There’s so little we can do and your mind wanders to all sorts of dark places,” she stated.
Steph was the primary confirmed Aussie discovered, adopted by
On Tuesday afternoon, Elliot’s father, Peter, confirmed the information that three of the chums had been rescued from the distant islands.
Moments after chatting with Sky News, Mr Foote obtained a message from his son confirming he had been rescued.
“Hey Dad, Elliot here. I’m alive, safe now, love you. Chat later,” the textual content learn.
The fourth lacking Aussie Elliot Foote (pictured) was rescued a short while later
The group stayed on the unique Pinang Surf Resort (pictured)
A drained however relieved Elliot Foote loved a well-earned beer as he returned to dry land
Mr Foote praised the work of search and rescue crews, together with an Australian dwelling within the space who helped with the search.
He had coordinated pals, employed constitution boats and even provided rewards to native fishermen from his residence in Sydney.
He informed Sky News the person had wished certainty earlier than calling off the search, earlier than revealing his son’s subsequent transfer.
“Elliot will return to the island, they (the group) will regroup and get well, and probably have a great night tonight,” he stated.
When requested how a lot he wish to see his son, Mr. Foote replied, “I don’t really need to see him as long as I know he’s alive.”
‘I can’t wait to speak to him, what an journey he’s on, what a narrative to inform.
“He still has ten days to go, so he’s in the best spot. They love it, it’s paradise.
“As long as I can talk to him, he doesn’t have to go home.”