A cute skateboarder who tragically died after falling on a board Ghana Remembered by loved ones as a ‘free spirit’.
Rafael Vieira was riding at Miami’s Pizzy Skatepark on Tuesday when he suffered a severe brain injury after a fall and a head injury.
Mr. Vieira, from BrazilHe was taken to the hospital and kept in the Intensive Care Unit, but could not be revived despite the best efforts of the doctors.
The tragedy came just four weeks after his 25th birthday.
Mr Viera’s childhood friend Lua Carmo, who is now living in Australia, said Raphael’s family decided to donate their organs to help save the lives of others.
Rafael Vieira (pictured) tragically died on Tuesday after suffering a head injury while skateboarding on the Gold Coast
With her family stuck on the other side of the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Carmo has launched a gofundme Page to cover the cost of Mr. Vieira’s funeral and cremation.
He wrote in the campaign, ‘The doctors did many procedures and tried to control the pressure of the brain with all possible resources but unfortunately our big man’s brain injury was very serious.
Doctors tried a lot but nothing could be done to bring him back to consciousness.
‘Faced with this incident, the family opted for an incredible gesture and decided to donate their organs.’
Mr Vieira, originally from Curitiba, moved to Australia in 2017 and according to his social media profile, was a keen surfer and motorbike rider.
Tributes have started pouring in online for the Brazilian diaspora, affectionately known as ‘Rafa’.
Friends in South America shared a photo of the message ‘Rafa, forever in our hearts’ engraved in the sand in Portuguese on a local beach.
A friend wrote, ‘One of the best vibe people I have ever met, Shanti se bhai.’
Bruno Felipe said he woke up on Thursday morning with a strange feeling, only to find out hours later that his friend had passed away.
Brazilian citizen taken to hospital after suffering a head injury at Pizzie Skatepark in Miami (pictured)
Mr Vieira, known as ‘Rafa’ to his loved ones, often posts on social media about his adventures in Australia
‘I wish I could write to you when I heard. I thought I was so strong with goodbye, [but] Ever since I got this news, I have found myself crying incessantly,’ he wrote on Facebook.
‘Man, I am very sad about what happened, but I promise you it will pass and the good memories will be remembered.’
How big was his heart and how light his energy was, there was nothing wrong with him. As your father said, “Rafa has always been a free spirit.” And you always really were, weren’t you?’
‘I want to thank you for your friendship, for the learning you left here, for your path and your light. Man, I bet your route was light, calm and full of peace. You are looking at us now. I am sure we will meet again in the next life.’
Relatives shared a poem by St. Augustine titled ‘Death is Nothing’ about those who want to keep their loved ones away from sadness and instead remember that they are still with them.
His mother wrote, ‘We all in the family believe that Raphael wants us to follow our lives according to this poem.
Mr Vieira was living in the Gold Coast after moving to Australia in 2017. He is pictured during a visit to Sydney
Loved ones in Brazil have shared a photo of a tribute on the beach Portuguese, which translates to English: ‘Rafa forever in our hearts’
‘Rafael, the love of our life, you are with us and always will be! We love you infinitely!’
His brother said that Rafa would always be in our minds and hearts ‘forever’, while his aunt said that he was still in shock, he was gone.
‘I can’t believe it. Go in peace dear nephew. You will be greatly missed. We love you,’ she said.
Ms Carmo said the fundraiser, which has already raised more than $14,500 since it was set up on Sunday, will also go toward paying some of Vieira’s medical bills.
“The good news is that the health insurance that Rafa had would cover most of the medical expenses, but not enter an emergency, which was $1,401.90,” she said.
‘We would appreciate anything that could help us promote a path filled with peace and love for this wonderful man who shared his journey with us.’
The tragedy comes ten months after Sunshine Coast man Chris Pinto died of a serious head injury while riding at Mudjimba Skate Park in November.
A GoFundMe page has been launched to help Mr Vieira’s family cover the cost of his funeral and cremation.
.