School Trip Tragedy

2 bodies have been recovered after a flash flood. The British international School were attending an outdoor pursuits program when the flood happened.
(Antara Photo/Jafkhairi)Cameron Bates

The British International School on Wednesday confirmed that two bodies, including that of a Year 8 student, had been recovered after a flash flood during a field trip in the Puncak mountains a day earlier.

BIS admissions director Lee Bretherick said the bodies were still being formally identified.

Antara news agency reported the body of Outward Bound instructor Arpan Palindungan Ade, 30, had been recovered in the Cisadane River. It also identified the missing student as a South Korean national.

West Bogor Police Chief Hadi Tjahyono said 10 police and military personnel had assisted in the search along the riverbanks.

“The search focused on two spots in Bogor and West Bogor districts,” Hadi said, adding that the weather had been unpredictable and the rain had caused a sudden rise in the river.

Ade’s body was taken to the Indonesian Red Cross Hospital in Bogor.

West Bogor Police chief detective Budi Santoso said the victim had been found naked and with extensive bruising.

“It’s possible he sustained his head wound and other bruises after being dashed against the rocks when he was swept up by the current,” Budi said.

A statement on the school Web site from its CEO and principal, Peter Derby-Crook, said: “A group of students under the supervision of teachers and an experienced guide were caught by rising water levels while hiking through the Gunung Gede area.

All the students and teachers were able to avoid the situation except one student who ran into difficulties. The guide immediately assisted the student but both were separated from the group by the force of the water and swept downstream.”

The other students have returned home and are being offered counseling.

The BIS statement added: “The British International School regularly conducts residential trips as part of the course work for its students to different locations in Indonesia, and over many years these trips have been free from any serious incidents.

“This month’s residential trip to Pancawati, West Java, for year 8 students, was organized in conjunction with Lembur Pancawati Outbound, who the school have been using since 2002 with an excellent safety record.”