A heart-wrenching incident has unfolded on the coast of Western Australia, where a 40-year-old Ukrainian mum, Olya Tikhanova, lost her life in a tragic accident.
Olya, who had fled the war in Ukraine with her family, was on a week-long holiday with her husband, Vladyslav, and 14-year-old daughter, Alisa, when disaster struck.
A Bucket-List Trip Turns Deadly
The family was enjoying a day out at Salmon Beach, near Esperance, where Olya was taking a photograph on the rocks. In a split second, she slipped and was swept off by the powerful waves.
Despite her husband and daughter’s desperate attempts to help her, the conditions were too treacherous, and they couldn’t enter the water.
A Life Cut Short: Remembering Olya Tikhanova
Olya’s passing has sent shockwaves through her community, with an online fundraiser launched to support her grieving family.
The fundraiser’s description reads: “Our little light stopped shining, and our life became darker… Olya made people around her better, and the memory of her will keep them that way.”
Friends and colleagues have taken to social media to pay tribute to Olya, describing her as “someone impossible to forget” with a “genuine smile, boundless energy, and love for life.”
Fleeing War, Finding Solace in Australia
Olya and her family had escaped the conflict in Ukraine, fleeing from the city of Zaporizhzhia to start anew in Australia.
She had found work at Perth-based Alloy Steel International, where her team leader, Simone Monaco, remembered her as an avid photographer who loved Australian nature.
“When they were escaping, they were in emergency centres with no water… it’s a family that suffered a lot and came to Australia to really improve their lives,” Mr. Monaco said.
A Devastating Summer: Drowning Deaths on the Rise
Olya’s tragic death is part of a concerning trend, with 41 people drowning in Australian waterways since December 1.
As the summer months continue, it’s a stark reminder of the importance of water safety and the need for vigilance when enjoying the country’s beautiful beaches and waterways.