In the early hours of October 12, 2002, the island of Bali was rocked by a devastating act of terrorism that claimed the lives of 202 people, including 88 Australians, and injured 240 more. Among the survivors was a man whose bravery in the face of horror would not be forgotten, Erik de Haart.
With profound sadness, we share the news that this hero of the Bali bombings has passed away. He was 67.
Wayne Hack, the president of the Coogee Dolphins rugby league club, announced de Haart’s sudden death, honouring him as a ‘loyal servant, life member, and sponsor of our club.’
‘He will forever be remembered in the immediate aftermath of the Bali tragedy of 2002 as a hero. Erik continued his ongoing support of the Coogee Dolphins for many years and in 2005 was honoured with a life membership,’ he wrote.
The Coogee Dolphins also extended their deepest sympathies to Erik’s family and friends, remembering him as a hero in the immediate aftermath of the Bali tragedy.
In October 2002, de Haart and his teammates from the Coogee Dolphins arrived in Bali for what was supposed to be a celebratory trip. They were enjoying an evening at the Sari Club when terror struck. Two bombs, orchestrated by the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah, detonated at the Sari Club and nearby Paddy’s Bar, while a third bomb exploded near the US consulate in Denpasar.
In the chaos and inferno that ensued, de Haart’s courage shone through. Despite losing six of his friends in the attack, he helped save others, pulling them from the burning ruins. His actions that night were nothing short of heroic, yet the weight of the tragedy left a profound impact on him.
In a poignant recollection to the Australian Associated Press in 2016, de Haart recounted the harrowing decision he faced when he heard girls crying for help, trapped under a collapsed section of the roof. The flames were relentless, and he was forced to make an impossible choice.
‘The flames from the burning thatch were probably knee to mid-thigh high. I had to make a decision. Do I try and get them out and perhaps die in the attempt? I had to walk away and leave those girls to die and it’s something that’s haunted me for a long, long time … It’s made me feel like an impostor,’ he told the AAP.
He said his decision haunted him for years, leading him to question the hero label others bestowed upon him.
The Bali bombings remain one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Australian history, and the aftermath saw various members of Jemaah Islamiyah convicted for their roles in the atrocity. Three of the terrorists were sentenced to death, but for survivors like de Haart, the emotional scars would last a lifetime.
As we mourn de Haart’s passing, we also celebrate his life and the indelible mark he left on the world.
To the readers of YourLifeChoices, we invite you to reflect on the legacy of de Haart and the countless other unsung heroes who emerge in times of crisis. Share with us your thoughts on the impact such individuals have on our society and how we can honour their memories in our everyday lives.
May he rest in peace, and may his bravery continue to inspire us all.
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