The incredible moment Peter Foote found out his missing son, Elliot Foote, had been found safe in waters off Indonesia, alongside three of his friends, has been caught on camera by 7NEWS.
Peter Foote was speaking to 7NEWS journalist Robert Ovadia on Tuesday when he heard for the first time that Elliot and his partner Steph Weisse, alongside their friends Will Teagle and Jordan Short, were all found alive.
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The group were among 17 people who were travelling in two wooden speedboats when they encountered bad weather and heavy rain on Sunday. They had not been in contact since.
Ovadia was in between live crosses to the 11.30am 7NEWS Sydney bulletin with Ann Sanders, when Peter’s partner Susan Whitla raced outside on a balcony to deliver the news as the cameras were still rolling.
“It’s saying they’re all found,” Susan can be heard yelling down from the balcony, with her phone held in her hand.
Whitla then revealed she had been told four people had been found rather than three, before ducking back inside.
“They’re saying it’s four people, but it’s not been confirmed yet,” Peter told 7NEWS.
“(Susan’s) on the phone to somebody, hopefully it’s one of the boys.”
Susan then walked back out onto the balcony to confirm the news: “OK, they’re all found.”
The family’s neighbour whooped joyfully in response, coming over to pat Peter on the shoulder.
“It’s going to be the biggest bender ever,” he joked.
About 90 minutes later, Peter received a text from Elliot himself.
“Hey dad, Elliot here,” the text read.
“I’m alive. Safe now. Love you. Chat later.”
Minutes before being told his son had also been found, Elliot’s father Peter shared an update with 7NEWS, saying he was “stoked”.
“I’m sure Elliot’s not far away.”
Peter had yet to hear what condition Elliot was in.
“But they’ve been in the water a long time, I don’t know how they’re going to be health-wise,” he said.
“But they’re found, they’re alive, they’re well. It’s all good, it’s fantastic news. It’s unbelievable actually, I’m so stoked about that.”
No information has been released about three missing Indonesian crew members. It is unclear if they have also been found.
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