Tragedy in Bali as Australian tourist dies in freak scuba diving accident
An Australian tourist has died while scuba diving off the coast of Segara Beach in Bali.
By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA
Published: 14:14 GMT, 30 December 2025 | Updated: 20:47 GMT, 30 December 2025
An Australian tourist has died while scuba diving in Bali, just a month shy of his 41st birthday.
Nathan John Scott, 50, was diving around 150m off the coast of Segara Beach in Tulamben, on the Indonesian holiday island's east coast, when a problem arose about 11.30am (Bali time) on Tuesday.
A South African man recalled seeing that Mr Scott appeared panicked while diving at a depth of 15m.
The Aussie then took off his diving regulator and swam towards the surface.
The South African man followed him and, once above the water, yelled for help which caught the attention of a local fisherman who was in a boat nearby.
The Balinese fisherman said that Mr Scott's body was 'floating' in the water when he reached them.
The two men bundled the unconscious Mr Scott into the fishing boat and rushed him to shore as emergency crews were called.
The Australian was unable to be revived.
An Australian tourist has died while scuba diving in Bali
Witnesses took the man to shore but he sadly couldn't be revived
Kubu Police chief, I Nyoman Sukarma, said police are investigating the incident.
'Based on witnesses, the victim had a panic attack while diving and suddenly removed his diving regulator,' Sukarma said.
A diving regulator is used to reduce high pressure gas from oxygen tanks into breathable air.
Suddenly removing the device can cause hyperventilation, inhalation of water and drowning.
Mr Scott was staying at the Teratai Boutique Resort in nearby Amed.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.