ROTE NDAO, Indonesia — A 68-year-old Australian national died while surfing at Oemau Beach on Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara, on Thursday, November 5, after another surfer found him underwater, local police said.

The man, identified as Paul Stephen Madigan, was found at around 9 a.m. off Oemau Beach in Bo’a village, West Rote district.

Rote Ndao Police spokesperson Second Inspector Nefry Tallo said Madigan was believed to have drowned while surfing with several other people.

According to police, one of the surfers, identified as Fanesa Mbatu, noticed Madigan’s surfboard floating on the water without its owner nearby.

Concerned about his whereabouts, Mbatu dived beneath the surface and found Madigan submerged. Mbatu immediately called for help, prompting other surfers to assist.

Staff from Nihi Rote resort and local residents helped bring Madigan ashore, where a doctor from the resort’s clinic attempted to save him.

Despite the medical assistance, Madigan could not be revived and was pronounced dead.

His body was later taken to the Delha Community Health Center in West Rote for further examination.

Tallo said authorities were waiting for Madigan’s family to arrive from Brisbane, Australia, before deciding on the next arrangements for his remains.

Police suspect drowning, although the exact circumstances leading to the incident have not been established. No final medical determination of the cause of death was reported.