Fox Sports commentator Dermott Brereton reveals how he came dangerously close to being the victim of a Bali bombing
Former AFL star and Fox Sports commentator Dermott Brereton has opened up about how he narrowly escaped being a victim of the 2002 Bali bombings.
Dermott, 58, was on holiday with his footy at the time of the terrorist 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 jetting back to Australia.
Former AFL star and Fox Sports commentator Dermott Brereton (pictured) has opened up about how he narrowly escaped being a victim of the 2002 Bali bombings
But instead of going inside, they decided to go to the airport as they would be delayed for their flight.
As their van drove away from the venue, they heard a massive explosion as a bomb ripped through the club, Dermott recalled.
Dermott shared his story at the Triple M Breakfast with MG, Jess & Pagey on Wednesday, the 20th anniversary of the Bali bombings.
It was October 12, 2002 when two of Kuta Beach’s busiest nightclubs, Sari Club and Paddy’s Pub, were destroyed by terrorist bombs.
202 were killed, including 88 Australians. Two hundred and nine others were injured.
“We literally ducked,” Dermott said of the moment he and his comrades heard the blast. “We saw people covered in blood and said, ‘This can’t be true… nobody would bomb Bali!’
Dermott (pictured in 2003) was on holiday with his footy at the time of the terrorist attack which killed 88 Australians. The group stopped for one last drink at the Sari Club on their way to the airport before flying back to Australia, but chose not to go in for fear of missing their flight. The bomb went off as their van pulled away
In the interview, Dermott spoke about how the tragedy had touched him deeply.
The footy star had befriended a tourist, Karri Casner of Kentucky, who he later learned was killed in the blast.
Dermott’s group dropped the young American off at the Sari Club shortly before the bomb exploded.
Dermott shared his story at the Triple M Breakfast with MG, Jess & Pagey on Wednesday, the 20th anniversary of the Bali bombings. (Pictured: the ruins of the nightclub)
Later, Karri’s father asked Dermott for help because he couldn’t find her.
“I was going through a hippie phase,” Dermott told Triple M, “and I noticed 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 incredibly sad,” added Dermott.
It was October 12, 2002 when two of Kuta Beach’s busiest nightclubs, Sari Club and Paddy’s Pub, were destroyed by terrorist bombs. 202 were killed, including 88 Australians. (Pictured: the scene outside Paddy’s Pub on the night of the attack)