Rally champion Giulia Maroni has died in a tragic accident while walking her dog.
The 37-year-old Italian star reportedly “slipped and fell” off a mountainside during a hike with her partner, Simona Panzacchi, on the Modena Apennines on Sunday.
She plummeted 50 metres to her death, hitting trees and rocks in the fall.
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Panzacchi called emergency services who arrived and began a difficult rescue attempt.
Maroni was airlifted to the Maggiore hospital in Bologna but the injuries proved fatal and she could not be revived.
“We saw immediately that the woman’s condition was unfortunately very serious.” Mountain Rescue chief Nicolas Barattini said.
“It was a tragic fatality. The woman (Maroni) placed her foot badly and slipped.”
Maroni has been described as a “passionate” sportswoman and off-road driver.
She won the Italian Cross-Country Rally in 2021.
She also competed in the 2022 Dakar Classic in Saudi Arabia as a co-driver, and won the extremely challenging SHEMUD off-road race for women in 2016.
Maroni was also a correspondent and photographer for 4X4 Magazine.
“The week starts with very bad news,” the magazine said in a statement.
“An accident in the mountains took away Giulia Maroni, a passionate (sportswoman) and off-roader, who had also collaborated with our magazine. RIP Giulia.”
Off-road racer Lina van de Mars told her fans on Instagram that she had been going through a difficult period in her life and this latest news was devastating.
Van de Mars had raced and placed with Maroni in the FIA European Cup for Cross-Country Bajas in 2021.
“Saddest of all (my challenges) is the sudden death of my co-pilot Giulia who has passed away …,” she wrote.
“We were just making new plans for the 2024 season.
“It’s been an honor to know you. It‘s been pleasure to race with you. Still proud of us having become European Vize Champions in the world of Baja and rallyraid racing. RIP my friend I am still in shock. ❣️❤️🩹🙏🏼 hoping smiles and sunshine will be with you.”
