Loved ones of snorkelling boat victim Anna Blight remember her love of family, friends and travel
The family of an Australian woman who lost her life in a boating accident in Bali have broken their silence as the island paradise reels following the tragedy.
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The family of Australian woman Anna Maree Blight, who was killed in a Bali boating accident last week, have remembered her as an “intelligent, warm, compassionate and quick witted young woman”.
Ms Blight’s family said she was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, niece and friend to many.
“Anna was passionate about her work, family, friends, travel and sport; especially her beloved Richmond tigers,” her family said in a statement.
Ms Blight was killed on Friday, days after he 39th birthday, when the snorkel boat she was travelling in off the coast of Bali capsized in rough seas.
“She has been tragically taken from us far too soon,” her family said of the loss.
“She will be greatly missed and forever loved and in our hearts.
“We are devastated by loss but take great comfort from the outpouring of love and support from our family and friends.”
The tributes after harrowing footage surfaced showing the shocking moments before the snorkelling boat capsized.
The Sea Dragon boat was carrying 13 people, including 11 Australian tourists, en route from Sanur to the popular Manta Point snorkel and dive site, when it was overwhelmed by rough waters last Friday, according to local police.
Ms Blight, who was working in Melbourne but was originally from Canberra, was rushed to the Sanglah Hospital after the boat capsized, but was tragically pronounced dead a short time later.
Her devastated colleagues from insolvency firm Cor Cordis, where she worked for 19 years, paid tribute to the 39-year-old as an “exceptional leader”.
“Her dedication and expertise played an important role in the firm’s success, and she left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of working with her,” the company said in a statement released on Monday.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our thoughts are with Anna’s family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.
“Anna will be deeply missed and forever remembered.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade earlier said it was providing consular assistance to Ms Blight’s family.
Cintamani ‘Tam’ Warrington, an Australian national living in Bali, and Gabriel Hijniakoff, from Brisbane, were seriously injured in the accident.
In the chilling video, published on YouTube by Dutch public broadcaster NOS, passengers screamed in horror as the boat hit choppy waters and huge waves slammed the vessel.
Before the vessel overturned, a woman was heard saying: “It’s so wavy, I’m getting nervous.”
“Oh my God — I’ve never seen this in my life.” another passenger said.
The video then cut out, after the camera became submerged in water, and when it restarted the footage showed stranded passengers sitting on top of the capsized vessel, as well as two people in the ocean.
The camera then showed shocked survivors sitting on the sand, comforting each other and crying.
The footage emerged after loved ones gave a health update on Ms Warrington, revealing that she was unable to walk “more than a few steps” after undergoing extensive surgery for burn injuries.
In an earlier Facebook post, Mr Hijniakoff’s sister-in-law, Olivia, said Ms Warrington had surgery in Bali on the weekend and was on heavy pain medication.
However, she said Ms Harrington and Mr Hijniakoff faced a long road recovery after the incident, which she described as a “freak accident”, and family members are now desperate to return the couple home to receive medical treatment in Australia.
Olivia Hijniakoff, who is married to Gabriel’s brother Jacob, has set up a GoFundMe, which has so far collected over $22,000 to raise funds to help with a medical transfer back to Brisbane.
She said Ms Warrington was unable to walk “more than a few steps” and it was unclear how this would look long-term.
She posted on Facebook: “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, she is communicative and while she does require urgent medical attention and management for her physical injuries she is stable.
“Unfortunately, there is no definitive plan in place at this stage as we are in a limbo period awaiting for medical clearance to be discharged and flown home to an Australian hospital where they both require medical attention.
“While travel insurance covers a portion of medical bills and transfers home, the real heartache and efforts resume.
“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.”
Earlier, Indonesian authorities released a photo of the terrifying scene which showed survivors clinging to the upturned hull and others still in snorkelling gear swimming back to the boat in the heavy swell.
Sanglah Morgue forensic doctor Nola Margaret Gunawan said authorities were awaiting the arrival of Ms Blight’s family on the weekend.
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Originally published as Loved ones of snorkelling boat victim Anna Blight remember her love of family, friends and travel
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