Jeremy Wann: Tragedy as beloved Aussie dad dies on surf trip in Indonesia
A beloved Australian father has died while on a surfing holiday in Indonesia.
Jeremy ‘Jezza’ Wann, 48, from Western Australia, died on Thursday while surfing in the province of North Sumatra with his teenage son Mason and friends.
The father of three reportedly hit his head on a reef and was knocked unconscious. He could unfortunately not be revived, despite frantic efforts.
The passionate surfer leaves behind his wife Rikki, their two sons aged 17 and 16 and their 12-year-old daughter, Western Australian defeated.
“He worked hard to ensure his family had everything they needed. Jeremy made his parents proud and was always there for his sister,” the family said in a statement.
“He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to meet him and have him in their lives. Jeremy lived and worked on the ocean, he had a great love for surfing which he shared with his family and friends.
‘The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Jeremy’s mates, Daniel, Jay and Josh, who were on the surfing holiday with him and watched over Mason until he arrived home safely to his family.’
Mason was reunited with his mother at Perth airport on Friday and the family is now awaiting the repatriation of Mr Wann’s body to Australia.
Jeremy ‘Jezza’ Wann, 48, died Thursday while surfing in North Sumatra province with his teenage son Mason and friends (the father of three is pictured)
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Indonesia,” a DFAT spokesperson told NewsWire.
‘We express our deepest condolences to the family during this difficult time.
‘Due to our privacy obligations, we are unable to comment further.
DFAT’s consular assistance may include support and counselling for families and liaising with local and Australian authorities to assist with arrangements for burial or repatriation of remains.
Friends have rallied behind the Wann family, with a GoFundMe page that raised over $40,000 in less than 48 hours.
“Our best friend and brother, husband, father and son – Jeremy Wann sadly passed away in a tragic surfing accident in Indonesia whilst doing what he loved most,” wrote organiser Dee Wilson.
The passionate surfer (pictured right) is survived by his wife Rikki and their three children
Mr Wann is believed to have hit his head on a reef and been knocked unconscious while surfing in North Sumatra province on Thursday (the area is marked on this map).
‘He is loved and respected by all who were fortunate enough to know him and we would like to raise funds to support the repatriation process and to support his family at this extremely sad and difficult time.
“We will miss him tremendously and will support his family as best we can.”
The page has raised more than $42,000, surpassing its goal of $15,000.