Surfer dies after bizarre incident involving leaping needlefish

The surfing community is mourning the passing of Italy’s Giulia Manfrini, who died last month after being struck in the chest by a leaping needlefish.

The bizarre incident occurred Oct. 18 as Manfrini, 36, sat on her board waiting for waves at a remote Mentawai Islands surf spot in Indonesia.

According to Hidden Bay Resort, where Manfrini had been staying, the surfer “died almost immediately” after being struck by the fish and, subsequently, a set of large waves.

Needlefish are long and slender and possess extremely sharp teeth. They prey on smaller, schooling fish and occasionally leap at high speeds while trying to ambush prey.

The Inertia, a surfing publication, stated that Manfrini was “impaled” by the needlefish at Beng Bengs surf spot.

“She screamed, which caught the attention of the other surfers at the peak, then fell off her board,” The Inertia wrote. “The other surfers immediately paddled over to help, but were swept away by a large set.”

Alexandre Ribas, part-owner of Hidden Bay Resort, witnessed the incident and recalled to The Inertia:

“The surfers who helped her said that there was a lot of blood and that, as the waves approached, she took one last look and fainted just before [the waves] hit her.”

The surfers got Manfrini to the beach but attempts to revive the surfer were unsuccessful.

Said Ribas: “We took Giulia to the hospital in the village of Pei Pei. When we got there, the doctor in charge told us that she was already lifeless and that nothing could be done.”

The drive from the beach to Pei Pei lasted seven minutes.

The incident underscores the risks surfers must weigh while considering travel to remote destinations with limited capabilities to deal with medical emergencies.