American visitor dies while climbing Mt. Batur

Volunteers evacuated the body of Robert S. Evans, a 70-year-old American who died while climbing down Mt. Batur in Kintamani, Bangli, on May 8, 2022. Photo: Obtained.
Volunteers evacuated the body of Robert S. Evans, a 70-year-old American who died while climbing down Mt. Batur in Kintamani, Bangli, on May 8, 2022. Photo: Obtained.

A 70-year-old Californian named Robert S. Evans passed away yesterday after climbing Mt. Batur in Kintamani, Bangli with his hiking group, authorities confirmed. 

It has been reported that the victim was likely too exhausted while traveling back down the slope before falling at around 7am.

Bangli Police spokesman I Wayan Sarta said that the victim climbed up Mt. Batur at around 3:30am yesterday with three other foreigners, as well as three guides. They arrived at the peak of the mountain and took pictures of the idyllic sunrise at around 5:30am.

They later climbed down at around 7am and at some point Evans lost his balance and fell some 50 meters down the slope.

“[We suspected that the victim] was tired and did not pay attention to his tracks so he fell,” said Sarta.

One of the guides, Made Wage, and a group member, Travis Steven Comeau, 31, a medical doctor, found Evans and tried to resuscitate him but to no avail. 

Evans’ body was later brought to the Bangli Hospital at around 11.30am. It was later confirmed that he had suffered heavy blows on his skull, as well as broken ribs and bruised knees.

The Bangli Police confirmed that there was no indication of foul play in Evans’ death. 

According to Jero Kamu Darsana, a representative of the Bangli Mt. Batur Guide Group, the victim reportedly lost his balance after trying to take off his shirt while hiking down because he could not handle the heat.

Darsana also said that Comeau told the group that Evans had an existing heart problem prior to his death.



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