A woman who drowned after slipping off rocks near Esperance on Saturday has been identified as a Ukrainian who recently escaped the war and was loving her new life in Western Australia.
Olya Tikhanova, 40, was on a holiday with her husband and their teenage daughter when she was swept off the rocks at Salmon Beach while taking a photograph.
Olya Tikhanova.Credit: GoFundMe
Her death is the second drowning at the location since 2020, after Faycal Al Saidi disappeared into the ocean under similar circumstances. His body was never found.
A colleague of the pair said Tikanova’s husband tried to help her, but the conditions were too dangerous for him to enter the water.
Nearly one person a day drowns in Australia, with 42 deaths recorded since December 1.
An online fundraiser has raised more than $21,000 for Tikhanova’s family in the wake of the “terrible event”.
“Our little light stopped shining and our life became darker,” the organiser wrote.
“The overflowing stream of kindness, laughter, warmth, love and radiance stopped. Without a doubt, the people who were touched by her spirit will never forget her.
“Olya made people around her better, and the memory of her will keep them that way.
“Appreciate your loved ones who give meaning to your life.”
Olya Tikhanova visiting Albany a year before her death.Credit: Facebook
Tikhanova’s social media profiles revealed her love for photography and WA’s regions.
It also showed how proud she was of her daughter, who was a talented artist, and had recently won an Intensive English Centre Transition award, presented in parliament.
Tikhanova moved to Australia in 2022 after her husband received sponsorship to work as a welder.
WA Premier Roger Cook said the tragedy highlighted the importance of water safety.
“I’m very familiar with [the beach], and it’s a very treacherous stretch of water, it’s not a place for even a strong swimmer to really get to,” he said.
“We need to continue to make sure that we remind not only West Australians, but visitors to our great state to be safe, to make sure that you are safe, and educate yourself about how you keep yourself safe when you’re recreating around our coastline.”
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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