Australian surfer dies at Scar Reef

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

Australian surfer Peter Luke has died while surfing Scar Reef on Tuesday. Luke, 27-years-old, was surfing large waves off the west Sumbawan reef break when he went missing.

Police in Indonesia said Mr Luke's body was recovered by two friends who were looking for him after he failed to return to their boat they had hired. His friends used the boat to search for him and eventually found his body on a nearby reef.

West Sumbawa police chief Teddy Hendyawan Syarif says the surf at the spot known as Scar Reef was huge on Tuesday.

"The victim's death was caused by a wave smashing into him, which at that time was massive, up to five metres high," he told reporters.

There's been no official cause of death, whether Luke hit the reef, his board, or was drowned is yet to be ascertained. On Monday the largest swell of the year hit the Indonesian coastline with waves up to 15 feet reported at some of Indonesia's exposed breaks.

Luke was born in Warnambool, Victoria, but had settled in northern NSW.

Comments

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Friday, 15 Aug 2014 at 1:48pm

Teacher at Byron High, much loved and respected member of the community. RIP Peter Luke.

evosurfer's picture
evosurfer's picture
evosurfer Friday, 15 Aug 2014 at 3:38pm

Tragedy of the highest level.RIP

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Thursday, 3 Sep 2015 at 5:12pm

We have another Aussie surfer die in the Ments , 2 in 2 weeks the latest sounds like a drunken nighttime swim- RIP
ABC online

grufnut's picture
grufnut's picture
grufnut Thursday, 3 Sep 2015 at 11:26pm

Yeah I heard that from a mate today who had done a few trips with him..... I think he was a surf guide on the Samudra Biru charter for a couple of seasons, great bloke from all reports, so sad. RIP

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Thursday, 3 Sep 2015 at 11:40pm

To quote Lenny from the Simpsons:-

'Mmmm.. alcohol and night swimming, it's a winning combination!'

RIP mate. Condolences to friends and family.