Fish Impales Surfer Giulia Manfrini in a Freak, Fatal Accident

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Giulia Manfrini, a 36-year-old surfer and former professional snowboarder, died after a flying needlefish impaled its sharp beak into the side of her chest. Manfrini was surfing in Indonesia when witnesses say the fish flew out of the water and struck her. She signaled for help, and other surfers helped get her to shore and to a medical facility, but she ultimately died.

The freak accident is reminiscent of the incident that took Steve Irwin’s life. In 2006, Irwin took a stingray barb to the chest while diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Unfortunately, all sports come with risks, and sometimes the risks aren’t entirely obvious.

“Giulia was surfing in remote Indonesia and suffered a freak accident,” wrote James Colston, Manfrini’s fellow co-founder of AWAVE Travel. “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.”

See Giulia Manfrini’s business partner’s full tribute to his friend here: