A beloved and heavily pregnant teacher from California died after falling while hiking in Greece.
Clara Thomann, 33, was traveling through Plakias, Crete, with her partner Elliott Finn when she fell while walking and died on December 23.
Thomann, originally from Santa Barbara, was six months pregnant at the time and was a teacher at Dos Pueblos High School, according to SFGate.
According to The Greek reportershe had slipped and fallen 50 meters into a gorge from a hiking trail near the Preveli Monastery in the Rethymno region.
The newspaper reported that she was declared brain dead less than a week after the fall, which left her with serious injuries to her skull and chest.
Tragically, Thomann lost her unborn child in the fall as 21 firefighters and rescue teams fought to reach her from what was described as an inaccessible spot.
Her family traveled to the country to visit her before her death, with Veronica Katz writing on her CaringBridge page, seen by SFGatethat she “loved helping and teaching others.”
Clara Thomann, 33, was traveling with her partner Elliott Finn through Plakias, Crete, when she fell while walking and died on December 23.
Thomann, originally from Santa Barbara, was six months pregnant at the time and was a teacher at Dos Pueblos High School, according to SFGate
She added: ‘Life can be random and painful, but we know that Clara would want us all to learn from this terrible experience and use it as a ‘una excuse for juntar y celebrar’.
Katz added: “Clara loved this Thomann family motto. Making ‘excuses to get together and celebrate’ with family and friends, for whatever small or important reason, was something Clara loved.”
Another wrote: ‘My son was her student and she was his favorite teacher. Starting high school is nerve-wracking because her first stint as a freshman made it so much more bearable.
“I appreciated the leadership she showed in her class and how she made science fun and interesting and the love each student felt from her. She will be missed, but never forgotten.”
While Dos Pueblos director Bill Woodard told it Noozhawk: ‘There are no words to describe the sadness we all feel.
She had slipped and fallen 50 meters into a gorge from a hiking trail near the Preveli Monastery in the Rethymnon region. Clara and Elliott can be seen here
According to her social media, she had worked as a science teacher. Her family announced they would donate her organs
Thomann had slipped and fallen 50 meters into a gorge from a hiking trail near the Preveli Monastery in the Rethymnon region of Crete (photo)
‘Mrs. Thomann was so kind and such a wonderful teacher who loved her students and loved science. Our hearts break for her family and for all of us who feel this loss.
“We understand that this news brings pain and shock, especially for those who had the privilege of knowing Ms. Thomann. That’s why we’re committed to supporting our students and families.”
In a post on her CaringBridge, her partner Finn said: ‘We celebrated Clari, walked to beaches and collected shells, stones and more memories. Thank you so much for all the love and support.”
According to her social media, she had worked as a science teacher. Her family announced they would donate her organs.