What happened to Ingrid LeFebour in Nias in 1976?

Ingrid LeFebour fell ill with malaria, was presumed dead, and woke up in a Nias morgue, later recovering and returning home.

What is the film 'Point of Change' about?

'Point of Change' documents the discovery of Nias surf spots by Australian surfers and their impact on the local community, including LeFebour's story.

Were the rumors about Ingrid LeFebour being taken by headhunters true?

No, the rumors were false; LeFebour was suffering from severe malaria and was mistakenly placed in the morgue.

Home / Lifestyle / Vanished Surfer Wakes in Morgue, Shares Tale

Vanished Surfer Wakes in Morgue, Shares Tale

2 Jan

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Summary

A backpacker woke up in a morgue on Nias island in 1976, unaware how she got there.
Her survival story is revealed in a film about Australian surfers' Nias discovery.
She later recovered and continued a life of travel and adventure.

Vanished Surfer Wakes in Morgue, Shares Tale

In 1976, Ingrid LeFebour, an 18-year-old backpacker, awoke on a concrete slab in a Nias island morgue, her memory fragmented. She had fallen severely ill with malaria while traveling with surfers at the famed Lagundri Bay. Local rumors suggested she had died mysteriously, even being taken by headhunters.

LeFebour's remarkable survival and subsequent journey home, weak and disoriented, are now coming to light. After being mistakenly placed in the morgue, she managed to crawl out and find help, eventually making her way to Medan and then back to Perth. She experienced recurring malaria for months before fully recovering.

Her story is now a prominent feature in the film 'Point of Change,' which explores the arrival of Australian surfers in Nias during the 1970s and its consequences. LeFebour's unexpected appearance at a recent screening of the film in Australia captivated audiences, sharing her incredible version of events.