After seven days of coming away empty-handed, authorities say they have stopped the search for an American man who went missing after a rafting accident in Ubud last week.
As previously reported, 64-year-old American Robinaugh Clifford Neil went whitewater rafting with nine other foreigners on Oct. 3 on Ayung River in Kedewatan Village. The party was divided into two groups.
One of the rafts tumbled when faced with a sudden strong current. The other also flipped over after it was pulled by passengers of the first raft.
The rafting guides who were present immediately evacuated both rafts, but they sadly lost sight of Neil.
Gede Darmada, the head of the Bali chapter of the National Search and Rescue Agency, confirmed today that after seven days of searching for Neil, authorities have called off the efforts.
“The search for the missing victim was concluded on Sunday because there were no signs of the victim,” he said in a statement sent to Coconuts, adding that the victim’s family has been informed.
The official said that they may resume Neil’s search and rescue operation should they receive tips regarding his whereabouts.
The other rafters, who are tourists from Australia, India, and Germany, are reportedly safe and sound and only suffered minor scrapes. Two local lifeguards also survived the incident.
