A 27-year-old woman from Queensland has tragically become the fourth Australian to die from a scooter crash in Bali in just over a year, after being involved in a horrific accident on Monday.
Sophia Martini, from Magnetic Island, was riding as a passenger on her boyfriend Steele Nugent‘s scooter in the early hours when it was involved in a crash in Kuta.
Both riders were wearing helmets, but Martini, who reportedly fell off the back of the scooter, suffered a severe head injury and was pronounced dead on arrival at Denpasar Hospital.
Forensic doctor Ida Bagus Putu Alit said that Martini had also suffered awful leg injuries in the crash.
She was already dead on arrival. We did a preliminary examination, she had an open wound to her lower limbs and broken shin bones. There were cuts, especially around the face.
The doctor said there was no official cause of death yet, and there would be a full autopsy completed, pending family approval.
Nugent, who was not severely injured in the crash, was initially detained for questioning, and later released. He has been prevented from leaving Bali until the accident investigation is complete. Police are allegedly looking into the possibility that alcohol may have been a factor.
The Herald Sun reports that Martini had been working for Townsville City Council as a trainee, and acting mayor Les Walker said she had become very well-loved.
The team loved her. She was a bubbly character and they’re just shattered at the loss in such tragic circumstances. We’ve offered support to any staff that worked with her. We send our condolences to everyone that knew Sophia and to her family.
The pair were reportedly in Bali for a friend’s wedding.
We will keep you across any updates to the story.
