A surfer in Florida has tragically died after reportedly suffering a head injury while in the water.
On Friday, Sept. 13 at around 9 a.m. local time, Jorge Alvarado, 49, of Port Orange, was reportedly surfing just south of the Sunglow Pier in Daytona Beach Shores when he hit a sandbar before becoming “tangled under the pier,” Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue said, per the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Director Tamra Malphurs said a witness saw him “strike a piling with his head before going under in an unguarded area,” adding that it took several minutes to free him, according to the outlet.
“Sounds like the lateral current pushed him into the pier after he hit his head,” Malphurs continued.
According to an update posted on Wednesday, Sept. 18, on a GoFundMe page set up to support Alvarado and his family financially, the surfer died after being placed on life support following the incident.
“It is with a heavy heart that Jorge has passed away,” the update began. “Jorge, rest in paradise brother … Your spirit was as vibrant as the ocean waves you loved to ride. You brought joy and adventure to everyone around you.”
The pier at Daytona Beach Shores.
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“We’ll carry your memory with us every time we get in the water, knowing you’re out there in the surf, riding the biggest wave of all watching over each and everyone of us,” the update adds. “Rest easy Jorge Alvarado. We love you brother.”
The GoFundMe page had raised over $14,000 before Alvarado’s death was announced.
The page’s description reads, “Our good friend and brother Jorge Alvarado was surfing Friday morning and had an accident while out in the water. He is currently on life support and needs all of the prayers and support he can possibly get. Jorge is loved by so many people and we want to make sure as a community that we take care of him and his family during this difficult time.”
“If you can donate, anything would be greatly appreciated. If you can’t donate, please continue to pray for Jorge and his family. Thank you to all whom help contribute financially and thank you for all of the continued prayers. We love you brother, keep fighting! You got this!” the message adds.
Alvarado’s friend Chis Chibbaro told local media outlet WKMG-TV’s News 6 of the surfer on Monday, Sept. 16, “Jorge is the embodiment of the phrase ‘this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.’ “
Friend Brian Holmes said of Alvarado being known within the Volusia surf community, “He has this jovial spirit, makes fast friends with everyone. He’s kind of like all of the community youngsters, he’s almost like their uncle and dad or something.”
“We’ve all taken hundreds of falls like this and some of us have had close calls, rubbing into the bottom a few times but you really have to fall just right to have an injury like this,” Holmes continued to the outlet, adding, “We love you, Jorge, we love you so much.”
