Italian rally champion Giulia Maroni, 37, ‘dies after plummeting 164 foot while walking her dog on the Modena Apennines’

Italian rally champion Giulia Maroni has reportedly died after plummeting 164 foot while walking her dog on the Modena Apennines. 

The 37-year-old was said to be out walking her dog with her partner Simona Panzacchi on Sunday afternoon when she slipped and fell off the mountain edge. 

Maroni – who was hiking Mount Libro Aperto in the Pizzo dei Sassi Bianchi area – reportedly fell 164 feet, colliding with trees and rocks on the way down. 

Maroni’s partner is said to have called the emergency services, who arrived on the scene to airlift the rally driver to the Maggiore hospital in Bologna.

Maroni arrived at the hospital and received treatment, but her injuries proved to fatal and she died on Sunday evening, January 28. 

Maroni’s partner is said to have called the emergency services, who arrived on the scene to airlift the rally driver to the Maggiore hospital in Bologna

Mountain rescue station chief Nicolas Barattini told local media: ‘We saw immediately that the woman’s condition was unfortunately very serious.’

Barattini went on to add: ‘It was a tragic fatality, the woman [Maroni] placed her foot badly and slipped.’

The 4X4 Magazine, where Maroni was collaborating as a correspondent and photographer, released the following statement: ‘The week starts with very bad news.

‘An accident in the mountains took away Giulia Maroni, a passionate sportsman and off-roader, who had also collaborated with our magazine. Rip Giulia.’ 

Lina Van De Mars, who placed alongside Maroni in the FIA European Cup for Cross-Country Bajas in 2021, paid her respect.

She reportedly wrote: ‘We were just making new plans for the 2024 season. It’s been an honour to know you. It’s been a pleasure to race with you. 

Still proud of us having become European vice champions in the world of baja and rallyraid racing. I am still in shock. Hoping smiles and sunshine will be with you.’

More to follow…