A Japanese tourist reportedly drowned near Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport on Sunday.
The victim, Katayanagi Susumo was surfing at a beach bordering the airport when he was apparently dragged out by a current.
The 60-year-old had been staying at a hotel in Kuta, according to police.
Witnesses saw the man go out on Sunday morning around 6:45am for a surf. Susumo took a boat to the break.
However, he is understood to have been swept away by around 8:05am. The skipper of the boat, who took him out, raced to Susomo and got him out of the water. He was apparently too late, however, as Susomo could not be resuscitated once he reached the hospital.
“Then he was evacuated by jukung (fishing boat) to the coast, helped by a lifeguard and then referred to BIMC hospital,” Tribun Bali quoted an unnamed police officer as saying.
Denpasar Water Police Chief I Ketut Suparta said Susomo was a surfing champion and had actually previously worked as a surf instructor.
“This victim was good at surfing. He was a teacher and often a judge. We got that information from his friend,” Suparta said.
The police chief suspects Susomo’s drowning had something to do with his age.
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