A rising young golf star has died in hospital on Friday morning, after a sudden brain injury struck while she was preparing for a tournament in Bangkok.
Jessica Bang, 18, had been abroad in Thailand when she suddenly collapsed and needed to undergo emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage, leaving her on life support in the ICU.
Bang sadly passed away at 7:20 am local time on Friday morning in a Bangkok hospital, her family confirmed.
They said they are “truly heartbroken” by the news.
“We will forever cherish the time and memories we shared with Jessica,” her cousins, from Sydney, wrote in an update to the GoFundMe page for her medical bills.
“Her sense of humour, together with her cheerful and vibrant personally, will always be remembered and treasured by our family.
“We are truly heartbroken by this news.
“However, we would like to remember Jessica and celebrate her achievements, passion and dedication to golf.”
The family said the funds raised, $44,000 so far, will go towards the medical expenses incurred, which they described as “overwhelming”.
Bang was known in the golfing community fondly as “Rookie Bang” and only recently qualified for her rookie season in the WPGA/KLPGA.
The WPGA Tour of Australasia paid respects to Bang in a statement.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the WPGA Tour of Australasia and the broader Australian golf community are with Jessica’s family, friends and all those who knew and loved her at this incredibly difficult time,” it said.
In February, she won the Ford NSW Regional Championship in Moss Vale, NSW.
She told Golf NSW that the win did not feel real.
“I’m so happy, I can’t even put it into words,” she said six months ago.
The family had hoped to take Bang back home to Sydney, so she could be surrounded by loved ones during her recovery.
Bang was based in Korea but lived with family in Sydney when competing in Australia, reports Golf Australia.
Now, the family are left to mourn her death and cover the medical expenses of the sudden injury and death.
Bang’s uncle had shared to Facebook that her choice to keep an Australian citizenship at 18 made her Korean residency and thus travel insurance complicated.
“As a result, her medical treatment and related expenses are becoming a huge financial burden for the family,” he wrote.