A surfer rides the now-closed Eisbach River wave in Munich. Photo: Unsplash
A woman who was injured on April 16 at a popular river surfing spot called the Eisbach wave in Munich has died. Her name has not been released.
According to reports, the 33-year-old victim fell off her board during an evening surf session. Her leash got stuck on something at the bottom of the canal, and despite the efforts of other surfers, she remained underwater until firefighters were able to pull her from the current.
The Eisbach wave, known locally as Eisbachwelle, is on a man-made stretch of river that comes from the Isar River. It flows through Munich’s Englischer Garter Park, and was built in 1972. River surfing has only been legal in the city since 2010, after a ban that had been in place for years was lifted.
The woman was taken to the hospital and listed in critical condition. In the days shortly afterwards, her condition appeared to be improving slightly, but sadly she succumbed to her injuries a week later. According to her lawyer, Nicolas Jim Nadolny, she “died peacefully surrounded by family and friends.”
The Eisbach wave has been closed to the public since the accident while city officials try to figure out exactly what caused the accident. As of this writing, there has been no specific reopening date announced.
