Fox Sports commentator Dermott Brereton reveals how he came dangerously close to becoming a victim of the Bali bombing.
Former AFL star and Fox Sports commentator Dermott Brereton has recounted how he narrowly escaped becoming a victim of the 2002 Bali bombings.
Dermott, 58, was on vacation with his footy at the time of the terror attack that claimed the lives of 202 people, including 88 Australians.
The group stopped at the famous Sari Club on the way to the airport for one last drink before heading back to Australia.
Former AFL star and Fox Sports commentator Dermott Brereton (pictured) has recounted how he narrowly escaped becoming a victim of the 2002 Bali bombings.
But instead of going inside, they decided to head to the airport, since they were late for their flight.
As their truck drove away from the scene, they heard a massive explosion as a bomb ripped through the club, Dermott recalled.
Dermott shared his story at Triple M Breakfast with MG, Jess and Pagey on Wednesday, the 20th anniversary of the Bali attacks.
it was ohl October 12, 2002, when two of Kuta Beach’s busiest nightclubs, the Sari Club and Paddy’s Pub, were destroyed by terrorist bombs.
Two hundred and two died, including 88 Australians. Two hundred and nine others were wounded.
“We literally ducked,” Dermott said of the moment he and his teammates heard the explosion. “We saw people covered in blood and said: ‘This can’t be right… no one would bomb Bali!'”
Dermott (pictured in 2003) was on holiday with his footballer at the time of the terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 88 Australians. The group stopped at the Sari Club on the way to the airport for one last drink before heading back to Australia, but decided not to go in because they were worried they would miss their flight. The bomb exploded as his truck was driving away.
In the interview, Dermott spoke of how the tragedy had touched him deeply.
The football star had befriended a tourist, Karri Casner from Kentucky, who he later learned was killed in the blast.
Dermott’s group had dropped off the young American at the Sari Club moments before the bomb went off.
Dermott shared his story at Triple M Breakfast with MG, Jess and Pagey on Wednesday, the 20th anniversary of the Bali attacks. (In the photo: the ruins of the nightclub)
Later, Karri’s father approached Dermott for help because he couldn’t find it.
“I was going through a hippie phase,” Dermott recounted on Triple M, “and I noticed that Kari was wearing a turquoise ring.”
Dermott told Karri’s father about the ring, which turned out to be the clue he needed to identify the body.
“It was tremendously sad,” Dermott added.
It was on October 12, 2002, when two of Kuta Beach’s busiest nightclubs, the Sari Club and Paddy’s Pub, were destroyed by terrorist bombs. Two hundred and two died, including 88 Australians. (Pictured: The scene outside Paddy’s Pub the night of the attack)
