The family of a few injured in a freak snorkeling boot accident in Bali in which an Aussie woman claims death that details around the incident have been triggered.
The Sea Dragon 2 traveled from the port of Sanur to a popular diving location in Manta Point, near the small island of Nusa Penida around 8.30 am on Friday morning.
Local police spokesperson, Agus Widiono, said that a freak golf was hammering the boat before a second big peak destroyed the ship.
About 13 people, including 11 Australian tourists, were on board with Melbourne director Anna Maree Blight who two days after celebrating her 39th birthday.
Gabriel Hakniakoff, 29, and his partner Cintamani 'Tam' Warrington were treated for burns and requirements urgent medical attention.
The sister -in -law of Mr. Hakniakoff, Olivia Hakniakoff, has launched a GoFundme where she broadcast horrifying claims about the accident.
“The details of the incident still have to be confirmed because media sales points and local reports are incorrect and knocked down by first reports through local authorities,” she wrote.
'Although we know that Gabriel and Tam were involved in a serious accident, which resulted in the incoming serious injury, a way to recovery and, moreover, a difficult situation to get them at home with the loss of their travel documents/electronic devices.
Brisbane pair Gabriel Hakniakoff and Cintamani Warrington are treated in Bali for extensive injuries they suffered when the snorkeling tour boat capsized
Mrs. Blight's colleague passengers, 11 Australian tourists and the two local crew of the tour boat, spent more than an hour clinging to the Capsized ship before being saved on Friday
“Unfortunately, the severity of such events and injuries ends in the long term effects and further treatment.”
Mrs. Hakniakoff said they were still waiting to receive full details about how the Sea Dragon 2 succeeded in making themselves overwhelmed in heavy waters.
“On March 21, 2025, while on a much needed holiday in Bali, the journey of Gabriel and Tam turned into a nightmare,” she wrote.
“While he traveled from the harbor on the east coast to Nusa Penida for a day of snorkeling, the tragedy struck.
She said that Mrs. Warrington was in a particularly precarious state and suggested that her injuries could have been caused by prolonged contact with the gasoline – or other chemicals – that came out when the boat was a hood.
“The injuries of TAM are particularly serious because she has sustained extensive chemical burns?/Burns to a large part of her body,” said Mrs. Sekniakoff.
'She is currently undergoing urgent operation and is currently receiving medical treatment in Bali after a tireless fight from abroad.
'Unfortunately, she cannot speak because of the pain and her condition remains critical.
Financial Services Director Anna Maree Blight died in a freak snorkeling boot accident off the coast of Bali only two days after celebrating her 39th birthday at the Tropical Resort Island
'Gabriel also suffered significant injuries and they could only start medical treatment almost 24 hours after the incident.
'Both were left on the boat for a longer period of time and received no timely medical attention or transfers.
'To make matters worse, they lost crucial personal belongings, including their phones, passports and portfolios, making it even more difficult to arrange medical transfers and recovery efforts.
“The situation of Gabriel and Tam has become an emotional and financial burden, and the road that lies for us will be a long and challenging one.”
Local police said that Mr. Hakniakoff and Mrs. Warrington had burned burns on their upper thighs, but they attributed their injuries to the warmth of the engine.
They were treated in Griya Medical Clinic before they were flown to Denpasar.
Mr. Hakniakoff's brother, Jacob, said that the couple – who had been in Bali for about a week – had succeeded in contacting whatsapp via WhatsApp while they waited to be saved.
“They were on the boat for an hour or two until they were actually picked up, and then they were stranded on the island for a while – they could not go back to the mainland later that evening,” he said the Courier Mail.
Mr. Hakniakoff had enjoyed a 'much needed holiday' in Bali when a disaster struck
“They are treated there and then try to return to Australia.
“He just wants to go back to Australia and to his friends and family tame getting the help she needs.”
Local spokesperson for the MR Widiono police Said that the Sea Dragon 2 tour boat had stopped in the Strait of Badung, which at the time separates Nusa Penida from Bali and that some of his passengers were already snorkeling in the water.
“However, when the boat reached Klinging Waters, a big wave suddenly hit the boat,” said a police statement.
“The captain tried to avoid the wave and reduce the engine speed, but something struck the engine's engine, making it difficult to check.”
The 12 survivors, including two local crew members and the seriously injured tourists, managed to hold on to the Tour boat for more than an hour before they were saved from the turbulent seas through the sister ship, Sea Dragon 1 and the nearby fast Ferry de Bijlsteen.
Mrs. Blight's body was restored during the salvation and brought to the Sanglah hospital where she was declared dead.
The damaged boat was found and dragged back to Toya Pakeh Harbor in Nusa Penida.
Mrs. Warrington and her partner now desperately fight against serious burns
The operators of the Ax Stone Fast Ferry said that the captain had raced from the boat to the scene to help save passengers from the ocean after they had changed into an accident.
Although the sea was jerky, they added that there was no belief that there was something special about the waters on Friday morning.
“The captain's report is that the waves were rough and it was rainy,” said a spokesperson. “To do that area, activities on the ocean are pretty good.”
The operators of the Snorkeling Journey Zeudragon are still to give public comments on the tragedy.
Sanglah Morgan Forensic Arts Nola Margaret Gunawan told the Courier Mail newspaper that the authorities were waiting for the arrival of Mrs. Blight family.
“At the moment I don't know if an autopsy will be performed, I am still waiting for the police process and also for the family request,” Dr. Gunawan.
“I have to wait for the identification of the police and the family.”
She said it was too early to determine a cause of death.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it offered consular help to her family.
“We send our deepest participation in the family at this difficult time,” said the spokesperson.
'The department also offers consular assistance to the other two Australians.
“Because of our privacy obligations, we cannot give any further comments.”
Tourist boot accidents are often found in Indonesia, where the ships are often overcrowded and have poor safety regulations.
