Clara Thomann, 6 month pregnant Santa Barbara, California woman and teacher at Dos Pueblos high school falls to her death while hiking in Greece with her husband, Elliott Finn.
A much beloved and six month pregnant California school teacher has died after falling to her death during a hiking trek in Greece.
Clara Thomann, 33, had been traveling through Plakias, Crete, in southern Greece, with her partner Elliott Finn when she fell during a hike and died on December 23.
Thomann, who hailed from Santa Barbara was a physics teacher at the Dos Pueblos High School.
Dos Pueblos pregnant teacher falls 50 meters down gorge
According to The Greek Reporter, the educator had slipped and tumbled 50 meters (164 feet) down a gorge from a hiking trail near the Preveli Monastery in the Rethymno region.
The outlet reported that she was pronounced brain dead less than a week after the fall, that caused her to suffer major injuries to her skull and chest.
Tragically Thomann lost her unborn child in the fall, with 21 firefighters and rescue teams battling to reach her from what was described as an inaccessible spot.
Her family traveled to Greece to visit her before her death, with Veronica Katz writing on her CaringBridge page, seen by SFGate, that she ‘loved helping and teaching others’.
She added: ‘Life can be random and painful but we know that Clara would want us to all learn from this terrible experience and use it as ‘una excusa para juntar y celebrar’.
‘Clara loved this Thomann family motto. Making ‘excuses to gather and celebrate’ with family and friends for whatever minor or major reason was something that Clara loved.’
Beloved teacher celebrated
While Dos Pueblos Principal Bill Woodard told Noozhawk: ‘There are no words to describe the sadness we are all feeling.
‘Ms. Thomann was so kind and such a great teacher who loved her students and loved science. Our hearts break for her family and for all of us who are feeling this loss.
‘We understand that this news brings pain and shock, especially to those who had the privilege of knowing Ms. Thomann, which is why we are committed to supporting our students and families.’
In a post to her CaringBridge, her partner Finn said: ‘We’ve been celebrating Clari, hiking to beaches and collecting shells, rocks, and more memories. Thanks so much for all the love and support.’
Thomann’s family have announced they would be donating her organs.
The family will spread some of Thomann and her baby’s ashes in Turkey and host an additional celebration of her life in Santa Barbara.
