The mother of a 22-year-old woman who was fatally struck by a tree in Adelaide’s parklands has paid an emotional tribute to her “princess” on social media.
Alifia Soeryo was sitting underneath a large gum tee when a huge portion of its trunk snapped off near War Memorial Drive in North Adelaide on Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency services attempted to rescue her, but she died at the scene.
SA Police said they are looking for two witnesses who stopped to help her, one of whom “is thought to be a retired medical professional”.
Ms Soeryo was an international student from Indonesia who had only moved to Adelaide last year to study a Master’s in communication and media at the University of Adelaide.
Posting on social media in Indonesian, Ms Soeryo’s mother described her as a “princess” and said details about a funeral would be provided soon.
She also shared another person’s tribute describing the young woman as a “good child, often taking care of her mum and dad.”
“You’ll get the best place next to Allah,” they wrote.
Ms Soeryo’s aunty posted a tribute, asking her friends to pray that “Alifia can return to the homeland quickly”.
“Dear God, smooth the process of returning Alifia Soeryo to Indonesia,” she wrote.
“Let her be buried close to her family,” she wrote.
The woman said Ms Soeryo’s mother had planned to surprise her in Adelaide for her birthday next month.
“There are still many of your goals that have not been achieved yet, she wrote.
“Next month is your 23rd birthday.”
Friends of Ms Soeryo, who was known as “Fia” or “Fi”, have also taken to social media to pay their respects.
“Rest in peace beautiful soul,” one friend wrote.
“I will always love you Fi … I’ll miss your sweetest words and support,” another friend wrote.
“I’ll miss you forever Fi.”
On Thursday, a man called Josh who described himself as a “dear close friend” of Ms Soeryo, left a bouquet of flowers at the scene.
He said Ms Soeryo had told him on Wednesday she was going for a run but began worrying when she stopped responding to messages.
The University of Adelaide said in a statement it was “shocked and saddened” by the death of Ms Soeryo who was well known to staff and students.
“Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult and very sad time,” the statement said.
Emergency services were called to the site about 2:30pm on Wednesday, but police said the 22-year-old woman died at the scene.
A first responder described the scene as “confronting”, and estimated the tree weighed up to 10 tonnes.
The Adelaide City Council is investigating the horrific incident, and police are preparing a report for the coroner.
On Friday, police said investigators are seeking to identify and speak with an “older man and woman” who stopped and first rendered assistance to Ms Soeryo.
“The woman who assisted her is thought to be a retired medical professional but had left the scene prior to police arrival,” a police spokesperson said.
“Detectives urge anyone with information on the incident or who may have dash cam footage in the area at the time of the incident to contact Crime Stoppers”.
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