On the 27th August, 2026. The FINNS Search and Rescue helicopter was once again called into action to help with a medical evacuation in Lombok. A German tourist was rescued after a serious surfing accident.
The traveller had sustained a complex leg fracture while surfing off the coast of Lombok. This is very problematic as there are limited medical facilities available on Lombok island to deal with this kind of injury.
As always, the operation was carried out and coordinated by BASARNAS, SGi and Nusa Medical, and it shows just how important this privately funded Search and Rescue (SAR) effort is in Indonesia.
The archipelago offers a much more challenging environment than most countries, as it is not one contiguous nation but rather an enormous collection of islands that are spread across a wide geographical area.
“Hard to access” here doesn’t mean a steep path and some awkward driving. It usually means no paths, no roads or no local infrastructure to support any kind of transportation.
That means the FINNS Search and Rescue Helicopter is often the only way to help a traveller in distress when they’re in a hard-to-access place in Indonesia.
This Mission: Suffering From Surfing
The mission involved rescuing a female German tourist on a beach on Lombok Island. This island is not as developed as Bali yet, and there are specific challenges with respect to both transportation and medical infrastructure.
She has sustained a complex leg fracture while surfing. So, the flight departed Benoa Heliport at 13:00 on the operating route from Benoa Heliport to Lombok International Airport. It returned at 14.30.
The patient was transported as a stretcher case, and she was accompanied by her husband and their two daughters. In addition to the family members, a doctor and a nurse were onboard the flight to provide medical care throughout the island transfer.
This mission was completed thanks to close coordination between the aviation, medical and ground support teams on both islands.
FINNS Search and Rescue wishes the patient a full and speedy recovery.