An Australian nurse on holiday in Italy has died from catastrophic injuries sustained after being hit by a car. Chani Knopf, 32, from the Central Coast of New South Wales, was in the Padua province for a friend's wedding when the incident occurred on August 30.
Ms Knopf was crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing when she was struck by a vehicle. She was airlifted to a hospital and placed in an induced coma. She died five days later, on September 3, with her parents by her side. Her parents, Susan and Ger, had traveled from their home in the NSW South Coast to be with their daughter.
Prior to her death, Ms Knopf was a registered organ donor. Her donation has enabled seven young Italians to receive life-saving transplants. "It feels incredibly fitting for Chani, who loved life so deeply and dedicated her career to caring for others," her best friend Melissa Wellman told news.com.au. "Her family have said that knowing her legacy continues in this way has brought them some comfort, and they know she would have been so happy to help others, even after her passing."
Friends who were traveling with Ms Knopf administered first aid at the scene and stayed with her at the hospital until her parents arrived. "They played her favourite music, surrounded her with love and spoke messages from the people who loved her right up until her final moments," Ms Wellman said.
Ms Knopf had worked at Gosford Hospital since 2021. She is remembered by friends as a "ray of sunshine" who embraced life with joy and generosity. An online fundraiser established to support Ms Knopf's family with unexpected expenses has exceeded $55,000.
Police investigations into the collision are ongoing. Ms Knopf's parents have reportedly not assigned blame to the driver, who stopped at the scene and offered assistance.