Brisbane couple’s family reveal horror injuries suffered in Bali boat capsize

A Brisbane couple left stranded on a remote Balinese island after a boat capsized are receiving medical treatment as their family desperately organise their return to Australia.

A Brisbane man and his partner, seriously injured in a snorkelling boat capsize in Bali, were left stranded on an island for hours before receiving medical treatment.

Gabriel “Gabe” Hijniakoff and his partner Cintamani “Tam” Warrington sustained serious burns after the Sea Dragon 2 snorkelling boat capsized off Nusa Penida on Friday morning.

The boat was carrying 13 tourists, including 39-year-old Canberra woman Anna Maree who tragically died just days after celebrating her birthday on Wednesday.

A photo released by Indonesian authorities showed survivors clambering on to the hull of the overturned boat with others swimming towards it still wearing snorkelling gear.

Klungkung District Police have released a photo of a boat which capsized in Bali claiming the life of an Australian woman. Picture: AP

Olivia Hijniakoff shared an update on Sunday, thanking the public for their support and confirming that both her brother-in-law and his partner were now in a stable condition following the accident.

While Tam is now able to communicate, urgent medical care is still required.

“The latest update is they are both in a stable condition through pain management and are awaiting emergency passports to be processed in order to have flights organised for transfers to Australia,” she wrote on a GoFundMe page.

“Tam had surgery yesterday which was to clean and assess wounds, she is currently being managed through pain medication heavily to ensure she is as comfortable as possible until the next stage of action.

“Due to the severity of injuries, Tam unfortunately is in a state where she cannot walk more than a few steps, we are unsure of what this will look like long term and as we try to support her before her return to work.”

She also reiterated that the boat capsizing was a “freak accident.”

Gabriel “Gabe” Hijniakoff and Cintamani “Tam” Warrington on their Bali holiday. Picture: GoFundMe

“I would like to be clear when I say, this was a recommended and legitimate diving tour booked through an online guide service,” she wrote.

“We (both of their sides) as a family have cemented that it is up-to both of them when and how they will tell their story when they are ready to do so, however, I can confirm the gravity of the situation that unfolded haunts them. This is still very fresh, and they are processing.

“Their physical health is our priority, but their mental health takes precedence. I am very mindful that a life was tragically lost, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the beautiful woman that tragically lost her life.”

Olivia said the family were “eternally grateful for the outpouring of love and support”.

On Saturday her husband Jacob Hijniakoff told The Courier-Mail his brother had managed to contact worried family back home via WhatsApp.

“They were out on the boat for an hour or two until they actually got picked up, and then they were stranded on the island for a while - they couldn’t get back to the mainland until later that night,” he said.

“They are just in hospital at the moment, they managed to make their way over there last night.

“They are undergoing treatment there and then trying to get back to Australia.

“He just wants to get back to Australia and be with his friends and family (and) get Tam the help she needs.”

Jacob said Gabe and Tam had been in Bali for about a week.

Gabe Hijniakoff suffered significant injuries when the boat capsized. Picture: Facebook

“They were meant to be flying back today,” he said.

Jacob said he wanted his brother and sister-in-law to be treated by a “proper burns unit (in Australia)”.

Jacob’s wife Olivia said they were concerned about the quality of care the couple would receive in a Balinese hospital.

On Saturday afternoon, Olivia launched a GoFundMe with Gabe and Tam in need of “urgent medical treatment”.

“They have lost all of their personal travel documents and important belongings,” she wrote.

“On March 21, 2025, while on a much-needed holiday in Bali, Gabriel and Tam’s trip turned into a nightmare.

“Tam’s injuries are particularly severe, as she has sustained extensive chemical burns/burns to a large portion of her body.

“Unfortunately, she is unable to speak due to the pain.

Gabriel, too, has sustained significant injuries and they were only able to begin medical treatment nearly 24 hours after the incident.

“Both were left stranded on the boat for an extended period along (with) other passengers and did not receive timely medical attention or transfers.”

Olivia said the incident had become an “emotional and financial burden” for the pair with the road to recovery expected to be “long and challenging”.

The Balinese boat Sea Dragon 2.

“To make matters worse, they lost crucial personal belongings, including their phones, passports, and wallets, making it even harder to arrange medical transfers and recovery efforts,” she wrote.

The snorkelling tour had departed the port of Sanur on the east coast of south Bali for the tiny island of Nusa Penida when it hit trouble.

The group was reportedly snorkelling when the boat was struck by a large wave which threw those still on-board into the water.

A second large wave struck the boat causing it to capsize in Kelingking waters, local police spokesman Agus Widiono said.

Gabe, Tam and an Australian national living in Bali were all injured in the tragedy which happened about 8.30am local time on Friday.

They were being treated at Griya Medical Clinic and will be flown to Denpasar.

A second snorkelling boat owned by the same company rushed to the vessel’s aid, rescuing 12 survivors.

Rescuers also found the body of Anna Maree, Widiono said.

The capsized boat has been recovered and towed to Toyapakeh Harbour.

Nusa Penida is a popular, picturesque island among tourists on the southeastern side of Bali and is separated by the Badung Strait.

Contribute to the GoFundMe here.