A 25-year-old Eureka resident lost her life in a surfing incident at California’s Moonstone Beach on May 14, just one day after her nursing school graduation.
Martina Marie Scarfia was seen enjoying the waves with another woman when a sudden and powerful surge of water overwhelmed her, causing her to lose balance and fall from her surfboard, as confirmed by a press statement from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.
Witnessing the scene unfold, a courageous beachgoer risked his own life to save Scarfia. Despite the prompt response from the US Coast Guard, who transferred her to a nearby medical facility, Scarfia’s injuries were fatal.
Merely a day prior to the accident, Scarfia had been celebrating her graduation from a nursing program at the College of the Redwoods. Her sister, Asia Autumn Scarfia-Ward, turned to social media to express her tribute, highlighting her sister’s exceptional achievements and the impact she had on the lives she touched.
In a final tribute to Martina, the Scarfia family came together for a farewell gesture – a final group surf, commemorating her passion for the ocean.
Moonstone Beach, located approximately 300 miles northwest of Sacramento, is known for its picturesque shores and is frequented by surf enthusiasts from far and wide.
On April 15, another fatal incident occurred near the Cove, a notorious surfing spot in Seaside, Oregon, known for its perilous conditions. A 51-year-old man lost his life after being discovered unconscious and face-down in the water by his companions. Bystanders immediately administered CPR before the arrival of emergency services, but their efforts proved futile, as the man was pronounced dead upon reaching a local hospital.
