Surfer dies after being impaled by swordfish in tragic freak accident
An Italian woman has sadly died after being impaled by a swordfish in a freak accident while she was surfing in Indonesia.
Giulia Manfrini, a surf coach and co-founder of the surf travel agency AWAVE, was riding the waves off Ombak Bengbeng, near Masokut Island in Indonesia, when the incident took place last week.
Giulia had been in the area with two of her friends, Alexandre Ribas and Massimo Ferro, when a swordfish suddenly appeared in front of her.
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The sea creatures are reconizable with their long bills, which, as their name suggests, extend to a point from their faces, resembling a sword.
The bills are strong, and help the creatures to slash their prey. Swordfish are also fast, according to Ocean Conservancy, and can swim up to 60mph.
The combined strength and speed of the creatures likely played a part in the fatal incident involving Giulia, who was impaled when the swordfish came towards her.
According to Australia's ABC News, Lahmudin Siregar, acting head of the Mentawai Islands' Disaster Management Agency, the fish 'unexpectedly jumped towards Manfrini and pierced her chest'.
Ribas and Ferro attempted to help Giulia by providing her with first aid and rushing her to the Pei Pei Pasakiat Taileleu Health Center, but sadly her injuries proved fatal.
Medical reports cited by ABC News indicate Giulia suffered a 5cm deep wound to her chest. She also showed signs of drowning.
Giulia's colleagues, friends and loved ones have been paying tribute to the surfer in the wake of the tragic news, with James Colston, co-founder of AWAVE Travel, saying she 'touched countless people within the surf world' both in Europe and worldwide.
"Her kindness, care and positivity were remembered by all that met her and she will be dearly missed," he said.
Fabio Giulivi, the mayor of Giulia's home town Venaria Reale, also paid tribute in a post on Facebook.
He wrote: "The entire Venarian community is gathering around Giulia Manfrini's family. The news of her death has left us shocked and makes us feel powerless in front of the tragedy that took her life so prematurely.
"Giulia, from Venaria, only 36 years old, had long had her double dream of surfing, her favorite sport, and of opening a travel agency for sports holidays."
The mayor offered condolences to Giulia's family and loved ones on behalf of himself and 'the whole City'.
After initially being taken to the hospital, Giulia's body has been transported to Padang City before being repatriated to Italy.
Emily Brown