Renowned Australian surfer dies after being punched outside a bar

Published:

26 Sep 2022 11:18 GMT

A 42-year-old man has been arrested and charged with assault resulting in death.

Australian surfer Chris Davidson died Saturday night after being punched outside a bar on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia. pick up the local media.

According to police reports, the 45-year-old athlete was hit in the face, fell to the ground and suffered a strong blow to the head on the pavement outside the Sportsmans Way bar in South West Rocks.

He was quickly treated in place by a team of paramedics before being taken by ambulance to Kempsey Hospital, where he died shortly afterwards.

The attacker, Grant Coleman, 42, was arrested and charged with assault resulting in death. This Monday he was denied bail and will be brought before a court in November.

So far no details have been published about the causes that caused the fight.

Chris Davidson rose to fame in 1996, at the age of 19, after winning two consecutive eliminations against Kelly Slater in the Rip Curl Pro tournament, which he entered as a wild card, in Bells Beach, Australia.

In a tribute to the athlete, Slater referred to Davidson as “one of the most naturally talented surfers” he has ever met. “I had a lot of good battles with this guy,” the 11-time World Surf League champion added.

Likewise, the executive director of Surfing New South Wales, Mark Windon, maintained that Davidson was “one of the most stylish surfers“that his country has produced. “He was an absolutely prodigious talent and as extravagant as he was on the water,” said to Australian broadcaster ABC.

Speaking to Today, a close friend of Davidson’s, Chris Hedge, qualified of tragic death and described the surfer as a unique character, kind and the life of the party. “I had so much more life to give, to enjoy and cherish. I’ll miss the laughter from him, I’ll miss the practical jokes from him. I’ll just miss the passion from him,” he said.