F45 tragedy: Woman dies after collapsing during class

A beloved mum has tragically died after falling ill at an F45 fitness class in the New South Wales town of Griffith.

Lumepa, who was a mother-of-four, suddenly collapsed during a session on November 11, her close friend and F45 Griffith owner and coach, Andy Gamble said. 

‘This was very unexpected to all who were in attendance as members helped with their quick response as I noticed Lumepa was on the floor which we knew didn’t look or feel right,’ Mr Gamble wrote on the GoFundMe he set up for Lumepa’s family. 

‘I feel it’s only right I do my best to try and help support her family as I was coaching the F45 class … when Lumepa suddenly collapsed.

‘The paramedics were called whilst Jess and myself tried our best to keep Lumepa’s chances of survival as high as possible. 

‘She was then taken to hospital where she sadly passed away.’

Mr Gamble said the money raised would go to help support Lumepa’s family to get ‘through this tough time with her children’s education and all the other expenses life brings our way’.

He said Lumepa’s death was so sudden and unexpected, that ‘she never had a chance to say goodbye to her four children and loving husband Maika Laweloa and other family members’.

Paramedics were called and took Lumepa to a local hospital, but were unable to save her

Lumepa was a star player for Yenda rugby league club for more than 15 years,  including captaining the winning premier’s side in 2017 and being part of this year’s premier’s winning side.

Her love for her family shone through right until the very very end, Mr Gamble said.  

‘These are a few of the things Lumepa spoke to me about the morning of the class, so I think it’s important to mention them to also show her children how even at 5.40am they were always on her mind. 

‘Some of her last words (were) telling me how proud she was of her children,’ he said.

She spoke about Serenity’s 21st birthday coming up on December 4 and how she was studying at Avondale College and finishing up her final semester on the day Lumepa died.

Jone, 18, will soon graduate from year 12 at Murrumbidgee High School and had planned to drive to Sydney this weekend to buy a tuxedo for the ceremony.

She also spoke about Maika Junior (Nia), her 15-year-old who is dedicated to football and how she had planned to take him to trials.

And she spoke proudly of Sulita, 10, ‘the baby of the family and Lumepa’s shadow’, Mr Griffith said.

The F45 owner said ‘any donation would be massively appreciated at this time to help support the family’. 

‘I know spare cash is hard to come by to donate and I fully understand if people can’t, but any donation no matter how big or small would really make a huge difference.’

He ended by saying ‘rest in peace Lumepa, you will be sadly missed’.