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...