Heartbreaking reason why Indonesian crew members of Aussie surfers’ boat were left behind as search for the group’s guide continues

Four Australian surfers who were missing at sea for 36 hours after their boat capsized off the coast of Indonesia in bad weather made a harrowing decision to separate from their crew in a desperate bid to get help faster.

Elliot Foote, girlfriend Steph Weisse and friends Will Teagle and Jordan Short were stranded in the waters off the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Sunday evening after their wooden dinghy hit rough conditions.

They were stranded at sea in the middle of the ocean for nearly two days until they were finally rescued Tuesday morning.

Mohammad Iqbal and a second Indonesian boat crew member aboard the stricken boat were also rescued.

However, the miraculous rescue is tinged with sadness that the group’s guide, Fifan Satrio, is still missing.

After nearly 24 hours lost at sea, Mr. Iqbal remembered how the Aussies paddled ahead in the desperate search for help.

He and the other crew member were left behind by Mr. Satrio, who was not a strong swimmer and could not keep up with the group.

“The foreigners were paddling very fast, but we couldn’t keep up and we had to take care of Fifan,” Iqbal said. The Australian.

“I tried to encourage Fifan a lot. I reminded him to tie his surfboard to his body so that no matter what happened—whether he felt dizzy or passed out—he wouldn’t sink into the sea.

“I told him if he didn’t and he passed out, he might not be found.”

Mr Iqbal last saw Mr Satrio on Monday afternoon, clinging to a surfboard and loosening his life jacket.

The search for Mr Satrio continues but is expected to be called off on Sunday.

Mr Satrio’s mother made a tearful plea for the search to continue at a local service attended by the four Aussies on Thursday evening.

The Aussies are delighted to be back on dry land, but are heartbroken that their Indonesian guide is left lost at sea.

Elliot Foote (with girlfriend Steph Weisse) paid tribute to their missing guide on Thursday

the four Aussie surfers (pictured with friends back on dry land) paddled ahead of their Indonesian crew members in hopes of getting help faster

Elliot Foote and his mates (pictured) remain in Indonesia to celebrate his 30th birthday

“We had an amazing service last night with Fifan’s family and the locals here – that was very special to us and special to them,” Foote told the Today show on Friday.

“We’re just so excited and grateful for everyone and everything that happened, but we’re still grieving, we’re still angry about the end result, but also happy to be here. ‘

It comes hours after Mr. Foote broke his silence over the ordeal where he paid tribute to the group’s missing guide.

“My deepest thoughts are with Fifan’s family. Our merry young guide who has not been found,” Mr Foote posted earlier on Thursday.

“I wish we could have done more to help you, and that will be a burden to me.”

“I understand the loneliness you must have felt alone in those hours, and my condolences to your family.”

Mr. Foote’s thoughts are with the family of Fifan (pictured), the merry guide of the group who has not been found

Australian surfers Steph Weisse, Elliot Foote, Will Teagle and Jordan Short (pictured, left to right) spent 36 hours lost at sea before finally being rescued

The four surfers and their crew had chosen to trek through the rough weather on Sunday night, while a group of eight of their friends took refuge on Saran Alu.

Mr Foote went on to say that the experience was ‘something I cannot comprehend’.

‘My emotions are incredibly mixed; elation, guilt, full adrenaline, fear, pure joy and happiness,” he said.

“From the moment the boat went down to the moment we were reunited on Pinang Island, uncertainty was the only certainty.

“I didn’t know if my eight friends had arrived on the island the Sunday night before us, if my friend Steph, Will, and Jordan had been found and rescued before I did, or if I should go out and find them. ‘

Meanwhile, back home in Australia, the surfers’ families have a online fundraiser in support of Mr. Satrio and the Haloban village who teamed up to search for the missing tourists.

This is the incredible moment when Steph Weisse, Will Teagle and Jordan Short and an Indonesian crew member were located after being lost at sea for 36 hours

Elliot Foote (pictured with girlfriend Steph) thanked everyone involved in the search

The fund’s objectives are to help and support the family and community of the only crew member who is still missing, to compensate the people who devoted their time and resources to the rescue, and to ensure that nothing like this happens again. more happens’ the page states.

“We would also like to express our gratitude and reward to the individuals, companies and organizations that participated in the ongoing search and rescue operation. These teams have offered their resources, time and effort without hesitation and where possible we will use these funds to ease the financial burden of their rescue efforts.”

The fundraiser has already raised more than $30,000, including a significant donation from Mr. Foote’s father, Peter.