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Surfer Dies After Accident on Munich River Wave

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 5:39 PM ET

A surfer has died following a tragic accident on Munich’s Eisbach River.

The 33-year-old woman, whose name is being withheld, was surfing the wave last Wednesday when she fell. Her leash was caught on a rock underneath the wave, and she was submerged under the water for a period of time. Eventually, the fire department came and was able to rescue her.

After the rescue, she was sent to the hospital, where her condition was reportedly critical, yet stable – no specifics were given on the nature of her injuries. Now, authorities reported she has died.

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UPDATE: Die verunglückte Surferin, die letzte Woche an der Eisbachwelle verunglückte, ist verstorben. Das teilte eine Sprecherin der Polizei mit. Die Eisbachwelle in München ist ein beliebter Spot für Surferinnen und Surfer. Aber sie ist auch sehr gefährlich, wie sich kurz vor Ostern gezeigt hat. #eisbachwelle #surfing #münchen #bayern #munich #surfen #eisbachsurfer
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From the local newsreel above, the translated caption reads: “The surfer who crashed last week on the Eisbach wave has died, a police spokeswoman announced. The Eisbach wave in Munich is a popular spot for surfers. But it's also very dangerous, as was evident shortly before Easter.”

Since the incident, the Eisbach River wave has been closed to surfers.

The victim’s partner has reportedly filed criminal charges for negligent bodily harm, prior to her death. Police are investigating whether or not there is any criminal liability in the situation.

As reported in The Munich Eye:

“According to Moritz von Sivers, a representative of the Munich Surfing Association, the real danger lies beneath the wave, where several stones protrude from the riverbed. These stones, roughly the size of bricks, are meant to prevent erosion but can pose a risk to surfers. Von Sivers noted that it is indeed possible for a leash to snag on these stones, which can lead to dangerous situations.

“In the aftermath of the incident, there are calls for greater awareness regarding leash safety. Von Sivers expressed his belief that similar accidents could happen to any surfer, regardless of their level of experience. He highlighted the need for leashes that automatically release under tension and suggested that signage warning surfers of these hazards could be beneficial.”

Tragedy out of Munich. Rest in peace to the victim.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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