One man dead, two missing when river tubing trip goes awry
CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA — What was supposed to be a fun day of tubing for five friends on the Sono River in Java, Indonesia has ended in tragedy.
On March 2, Agus Setiawan, Syamsul Maarif and Azis Muslim set out with with two other friends, Cahyo and Wildan. Agus, Syamsul and Azis never made it home.
The five arrived at the river around 3pm, unaware that the stream has become dangerously strong thanks to recent heavy rains.
Not sensing the danger, the five men heaved themselves onto their tubes and let the rushing water carry them downstream. But the water was just too fast. Wildly tossed around, Agus, Syamsul and Azis each lost their grip and disappeared under the churning water. Only Chayo and Wildan made it to shore.
At around 6.30 p.m., a local resident found Agus’ body wrapped around a tree branch in the middle of the river — his tube still tethered to his ankle.
The distraught families of Syamsul and Azis still have no closure; the two young men have yet to be found.
On March 2, Agus Setiawan, Syamsul Maarif and Azis Muslim set out with with two other friends, Cahyo and Wildan. Agus, Syamsul and Azis never made it home.
The five arrived at the river around 3pm, unaware that the stream has become dangerously strong thanks to recent heavy rains.
Not sensing the danger, the five men heaved themselves onto their tubes and let the rushing water carry them downstream. But the water was just too fast. Wildly tossed around, Agus, Syamsul and Azis each lost their grip and disappeared under the churning water. Only Chayo and Wildan made it to shore.
At around 6.30 p.m., a local resident found Agus’ body wrapped around a tree branch in the middle of the river — his tube still tethered to his ankle.
The distraught families of Syamsul and Azis still have no closure; the two young men have yet to be found.