A woman killed by a falling tree in Adelaide has been identified as Alifia Soeryo, a 22-year-old Indonesian international student.
Soeryo was jogging in Park 10 on War Memorial Dr, North Adelaide when she stopped to rest in the shade of a large gum tree — which suddenly broke apart and fell on her.
First responders said the tree had years earlier split at the trunk and was growing in two parts — the largest of which, weighing about 10 tonnes, broke away and fell, crushing Soeryo.
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Soeryo’s friends said she frequently jogged in the area and, when they heard the news about a young woman’s death, they rushed there to find she had been killed.
“She was a beautiful person, cute, loving, she was shy at times but she would always talk,” her friend, who wished to be known only as Josh, said.
“She was very approachable. She always had a smile on her face and she was one of the (most) beautiful persons I ever met.”
Other friends wrote tributes to the University of Adelaide student, who was affectionately called Fi or Fia, on her social media accounts.
Soeryo was also a keen cyclist, and had posted many pictures of herself cycling through parts of Adelaide.
“Ride in peace, sweetie … I will always love you, Fi. I’ll miss your random replies to my ig (Instagram) story, I’ll miss your sweetest words and support, I’ll miss you forever Fi,” one person wrote.
“I love you eternally,” another person said.
Soeryo was recognised in January for her contribution in helping Adelaide University’s Motorsport Team win first place at the 2023 Formula SAE-A competition, a race showcasing leadership in electric vehicle engineering among university students.
Adelaide City Council said it will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
It said the tree was inspected by council last year but a local resident says it was recently unstable.
