A BRITISH tourist who went missing while swimming in Bali has been found dead two miles offshore as his grieving family and friends pay tributes.
Harrison Edward Nada-Kantounas, 23, from East London, vanished while swimming with friends at Legian Beach, Kuta, last Wednesday.
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He was caught in a powerful rip current and disappeared beneath the waves.
His body was recovered today with injuries including a head wound and a broken nose.
In a statement, his family said: “It is with deepest sorrow that we confirm that the body of our beloved son, Harrison Nada-Kantounas, 23, was recovered today, approximately two miles offshore from the beach in Bali where he was last seen.
“Harrison had suffered injuries, including a head wound and a broken nose.
“We are heartbroken beyond words. Harrison was a bright, kind, and loving young man whose absence leaves an unimaginable void in the lives of his family and friends.”
His mother expressed gratitude to those who had supported the family during the search.
“My family and I want to thank every single person who has supported us during this horrific time.
“The kindness and generosity shown, from strangers on the beaches of Bali to people across the world who donated, has carried us through.
“Harrison was loved deeply, and we have felt that love reflected to us in the solidarity of so many.
“A very special thanks must go to Harrison’s friends, who searched tirelessly through the night, never resting, never giving up, and never wanting to stop.
“Their courage, love, and determination gave us hope when we needed it most, and we will forever be grateful.”
Friends and family described Harrison as a much-loved young man whose warmth and humour touched everyone around him.
“Harrison was one of the most gentle, kind, and funny young men you could ever meet.
“He lived his life with joy and openness, treasuring every moment and holding his family and friends as at the very centre of his world.
“His loyalty was unwavering, his warmth shone through in every interaction, and his generous soul touched all who crossed his path.
“He had a deep love of football, laughter came easily to him, and he had the rare gift of making others feel instantly at ease.
“Harrison’s life, though heartbreakingly short, was filled with love, light, and friendship. He is one who left us far too early, but whose spirit will never be forgotten.”
Another statement from the family read: “We want to thank everyone who searched, donated, and shared his story.
“His friends never stopped walking the beaches all night and even funding a helicopter when no official air support came.
“The GoFundMe has now raised over £27,000 which has supported the search and will now help us bring Harrison home and give him the farewell he deserves.
“Any remaining funds will be donated to charity in his memory. Harrison was gentle, kind, funny and full of life.
“His warmth and loyalty touched everyone who knew him. He leaves us far too soon, but he will never be forgotten.”
Harrison’s close friend, who was on the beach at the time, said lifeguards and emergency crews failed to respond in time.
He told The Sun: “The last 24 hours have been the most devastating of our lives.
We were four 23-year-old boys from England on holiday. Three of us went into the sea, one stayed on shore. Only two made it back – not Harrison.”
The friend alleged lifeguards were slow to react as desperate screams rang out.
“Harrison submerged before our eyes but the lifeguard on duty was sitting on his phone, not even looking at the water,” he said. “By the time they responded, it was already too late.”
He also claimed that red flags warning tourists were only put up after the incident, despite local reports suggesting they had already been in place.
The group said emergency crews later arrived “hours later” with “little more than flashlights” and told them they would have to wait until morning.
“We alerted the lifeguards at 5pm – but the coastguard, helicopters and search and rescue didn’t show up until three hours later, and even then they had no proper gear to help us,” he claimed.
The young men said they searched through the night themselves, patrolling 15km of coastline with flashlights.
“We were exhausted and desperate,” the friend said. “Meanwhile, lifeguards were laughing, scrolling on their phones, showing no urgency while we begged for help.”
The following morning, he said, the promised search team appeared nearly two hours late and brought “one rubber boat and a jet ski.”
With no success, Harrison’s friends scraped together £1,700 to pay for a private helicopter.
“Harrison was wearing bright orange shorts. If a proper search had been carried out from the start, we are certain he could have been spotted.”
Other friends expressed frustration online, writing in a Bali travel group:
“Close friend was swept out to sea by a riptide today from Kuta beach at 5pm local time. He has not been found.”
One eyewitness, Abbey Maree, said: “It was a heartbreaking afternoon on the beach watching lifeguards searching for hours to find him.
“The water was so rough at the time. I was hoping they’d bring in a few more jet skis or boats to search, perhaps a helicopter, but sadly they just don’t operate like we do back home.”
Local officials said conditions were dangerous at the time Harrison was swept away. Winds had reached 30kmph and waves were rough, making it difficult to deploy full rescue equipment.
The Head of the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office, Nyoman Sidakarya, said: “We urge you to be careful when engaging in outdoor activities, including beach tourism.
“We received a report at 18.40, that a foreigner had drowned from Mr Ipel, Balawiata Kuta, then five personnel were dispatched to the location.
“Our initial step is to coordinate with witnesses and other SAR elements. If he is not found tomorrow morning (today), we can determine our next action plan.”
A GoFundMe campaign in Harrison’s name has now raised over £27,000.
Funds were first used to pay for private searches, including helicopters, when official support was unavailable.
The remaining balance will be used to repatriate his body to the UK and give him the funeral his family say he deserves. Any leftover funds will be donated to charity in his memory.
The family said: “We are deeply grateful to everyone who has donated to the GoFundMe.
“Without this support, Harrison’s search would have ended long ago. Instead, thanks to you, it continues.”
They added: “We now ask for privacy as we bring Harrison home. Our focus is on honouring his life and supporting one another as a family through this loss.”
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