A beloved Australian father has died while on a surfing holiday in Indonesia.
Jeremy “Jezza” Wann, 48, from Western Australia, died while surfing in North Sumatra province with his teenage son Mason and friends on Thursday.
The father of three is understood to have hit his head on a reef and was knocked unconscious. Sadly, he could not be revived despite frantic efforts.
The passionate surfer is survived by his wife Rikki, his two sons aged 17 and 16 and his 12-year-old daughter, Western Australia information.
“He worked hard to ensure his family had everything they needed. Jeremy made his parents proud and was always there for his sister,” the family said in a statement.
“He will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him and have him as a part of their lives. Jeremy lived and worked on the ocean and had a great love of surfing which he shared with his family and friends.
‘The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Jeremy’s friends Daniel, Jay and Josh, who were on the surf trip and cared for Mason until he arrived safely home to his family.’
Mason was reunited with his mother at Perth Airport on Friday and the family is now waiting for Wann’s body to be repatriated to Australia.
Jeremy ‘Jezza’ Wann, 48, died while surfing in North Sumatra province with his teenage son Mason and friends on Thursday (pictured is the father of three)
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Indonesia,” a DFAT spokesperson told NewsWire.
We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time.
‘Due to our privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further comment.
DFAT consular assistance may include support and guidance to families and liaison with local and Australian authorities to assist with funeral arrangements or repatriation of remains.
Friends have rallied around the Wann family, with a GoFundMe Page raising more than $40,000 in less than 48 hours.
“Our best friend and brother, husband, father and son, Jeremy Wann, sadly passed away in a tragic surfing accident in Indonesia, doing what he loved most,” wrote organizer Dee Wilson.
The passionate surfer (pictured right) is survived by his wife Rikki and three children.
Mr Wann is known to have hit his head on a reef and been knocked unconscious while surfing in North Sumatra province on Thursday (the area is highlighted on this map).
‘Loved and respected by all who were lucky enough to know him, we would like to raise some funds to help with the repatriation process and support his family during this extremely sad and difficult time.
“We will miss him greatly and will support his family as best we can.”
The page has raised more than $42,000, surpassing its goal of $15,000.