“I heard a noise. As I turned to look back, I saw that a branch had hit her on the head. She immediately fell unconscious,” says Luis Gabriel Gómez, as he describes the horrific moment his wife Lina Marcela Duque was killed in a freak accident while bushwalking on November 21.
The couple, along with Ms Duque’s brother Juan David, were walking through the Watagans National Park near Lake Macquarie in New South Wales when a branch detached from a large tree above, striking the 37-year-old Colombian student.
"I ran immediately to see what had happened to her," a heartbroken Mr Gómez explains.
When I got closer, I saw her and I grabbed her. She was unconscious, her eyes were already closed. I tried to revive her, to check her condition. I don't know if I felt her heartbeat, but I realised she was not breathing.
Highlights:
- Three international students from Colombia were bushwalking through Watagans National Park when a falling tree branch killed Lina Marcela Duque.
- Her husband thanks the Hispanic community in Australia and abroad for having chipped in to pay funeral costs.
- Ms Duque's parents are hoping to travel to Australia for the funeral, but authorities are yet to grant them permission to enter.
Ms Duque was a systems engineer in her native Colombia. Her partner of 11 years describes her as a person who left her mark on the people she met.
“Lina was everything. She was a pillar of strength,” Mr Gómez says.
"She was the type of person who left her mark, with her charisma, her smile, her words. She was a special person."
Lina Duque was killed in a bushwalking accident on November 21. Source: Facebook
The couple arrived in Australia five years ago as international students and Ms Duque’s brother joined shortly after.
The day of the tragedy, the group went on a bushwalk near Lake Macquarie, despite the persistent rain.
Mr Gómez says the accident occurred at around 6:30pm, while there was still light in the sky, as the group made its way back to their car.
“We were at the end of our walk. It had been raining all day, but it wasn't a heavy downpour. We were already on our way back from the bush, about 500-600 metres away from where the car was parked," Mr Gómez explains.
As soon as he saw Lina collapse, he ran to provide first aid.
“I started giving her mouth-to-mouth and tried to resuscitate her. I told my brother-in-law to call Triple Zero.
"He called them and I asked to speak to a Spanish-speaking interpreter because at the time I couldn't concentrate and speak English. The person at the other end very kindly asked me for our location and told me to calm down, to follow the instructions and assured me that they would send assistance.”
Emergency responders arrived 20 minutes later and began trying to revive Ms Duque.
Lina Duque had been in Australia for five years before the accident. Source: Facebook
After several failed attempts, Mr Gómez says a police officer approached him to explain that they were going to try "the last resort", but that if that didn't work, then they would be "very sorry".
It was in vain. A day of joy outdoors turned to despair, as Lina was pronounced dead.
"That moment was unbearable," Mr Gómez recalls, while still in shock.
"The day had started as an ordinary Sunday in which we went out for a walk, and it then turned into a nightmare, the worst day of my life. The life of the person I thought I was spending the rest of my life with slipped away in my arms."
The solidarity of the Hispanic community in Australia
The following hours were ones of disbelief for the family, as Mr Gómez and Mr Duque attempted to grasp what had occurred.
News of Ms Duque’s death appeared widely in the media the following day, though reports failed to mention her name or nationality.
However, the details of the accident began circulating within the Latino community on social media, and tributes and offers of assistance began pouring in.
“The support we have had from family, friends, acquaintances and strangers, clients we once worked for, people from all over the world, has been awe inspiring. Our fundraising page reached the goal in practically two days,” Mr Gómez explains.
“That has taken a weight off my mind. I had not had time to think about the money, but I think that with the funds, we will be able to cover the funeral expenses and travel costs to bring Lina's parents here, so that they can say their goodbyes.”
Mr Gómez says that despite the grief associated with organising his wife’s funeral, he’s grateful for the people who have reached out to offer help.
“I want to give my infinite thanks to all the people in Australia, Spain, the United States, practically all places from around the world from where people have chipped in or sent messages. So many have called me and asked me what I needed. I thank all the people who have shown their unconditional support.
“I am grateful from the bottom of my heart. I don't know how I'm going to pay them for everything they have done for me, for what they are doing for her. Despite the fact that we are on the other side of the world, I have not felt alone. Thank you very much from the heart.”
Ms Duque's parents are still hoping to get to Australia for the funeral, although have not yet been granted a travel exemption to enter the country, despite holding Subclass 651 visitor’s visas and international vaccination certificates.
SBS Spanish has contacted the Australian Border Force about the case and is awaiting a response.
