Dead body of Australian 'hero' found two days after he saved swimmer from drowning in Bali

An Australian man, Craig Laidley, who was swept out of the sea while saving the life of an unknown swimmer in Bali, has been found dead. The 56-year-old man was walking along the beachin Bali'sTabanan on Wednesday (Oct 16)afternoon when he heard the screaming of a swimmerdrowningin the rough sea.

He managed to save the 29-year-old young German swimmer, Micro Stalla. However, Laidleygot carried away in the sea. Witnesses said that both men reached the safety of a few rocks, but while Stalla was pulled out, a huge wave carried Laidley back to sea.

Basarnas, the Indonesian search and rescue organisation, has confirmed that his body was found by residents on Friday (Oct 18) morning at Secret Bay Beach, one kilometre to the west of where he was last seen.

Laidley’s two sons and extended family expressed their heartbreak over his death.

"It is no surprise to us that he put his life on the line to help another in need," said the family. It added, "His bravery and determination are a testament to his character. A man who brought kindness, strength, light and laughter to those around him."

Family also hoped that his act of bravery and kindness would inspire others. "We hope Craig’s spirit inspires others to act with courage, and selflessness and offer a helping hand to those in need,” said Laidley’s family.

They also thanked search and rescue teams, police, and the public who helped search Laidley. Mark Laidely, his cousin, paid tribute to a “hero [who] paid the ultimate price saving someone he didn’t even know”.

The Indonesian government offered its "deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time", said an official from the country'sdepartment of foreign affairs and trade.

Nyoman Sidakarya, the chief ofDenpasar Search and Rescue Office said that a team of 10 rescuers was employed to search for Laidely on sea and land since Wednesday night, but the mission got hampered because of dangerous seas.

Sidakarya also saidwhen Laidley went missing, the waves were "extreme" off Bali’s west coast.

(With inputs from agencies)