An Italian surfer died in a freak accident while in the water doing what she loved.
Giulia Manfrini, 36, was speared in the chest by a swordfish while surfing off Indonesia’s West Sumatra coast in the Indian Ocean, according to reports.
The swordfish “unexpectedly jumped towards Manfrini and pierced her chest,” Lahmudin Siregar, acting head of the Mentawai Islands’ Disaster Management Agency, told Australia’s ABC News.
Two of Manfrini’s friends were nearby and provided first aid before she was rushed to a local hospital.
She suffered a five-centimetre deep wound to her chest and later died. The medical report also said she showed signs of drowning.
Reports say her body will be repatriated to Italy.
Manfrini was one of the co-founders of AWAVE Travel, a company that offers surfing trips at luxury resorts and charters.
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James Colston, the other company founder, shared the news of her death on Saturday.
“Giulia was surfing in remote Indonesia and suffered a freak accident,” he wrote on Instagram. “Unfortunately, even with the brave efforts of her partner, local resort staff and doctors, Giulia couldn’t be saved. We believe she died doing what she loved, in a place that she loved.”
Colston said she was the “lifeblood” of the company and had an “infectious enthusiasm” for surfing, snow sports and life in general.
“Giulia couldn’t travel without people falling in love with her smile, laugh and endless Stoke,” he added. “Anyone was lucky to have her on board a charter or surf trip.”
Colston said AWAVE Travel will continue to operate and will handle upcoming trips.
“We value your kind words, memories of Giulia and all that she leaves behind,” he wrote.
“We love you, Giulia. I am so sorry to say goodbye.”