Tragic footage has emerged of the final days of a Belgian tourist before she died in a motor-scooter crash in Australia.
Romy Styleman had celebrated her 26th birthday just days before she crashed her scooter into a street sign on Queensland’s Magnetic Island about 3pm on Friday.
During her last weeks on the island, Ms Styleman was seen soaking up the winter sun, watching sunsets with friends and even feeding a group of local wallabies.
She had been posting almost daily updates of her travels to social media and celebrated her 26th birthday with a sweet video montage on June 20.
In the video, the keen traveller is seen somersaulting into clear blue water in Vietnam, dancing in a nightclub and sitting on a rope swing.
Romy Styleman had celebrated her 26th birthday just days before she crashed her scooter into a street sign on Magnetic Island, near Townsville, at about 3pm on Friday
Bystanders frantically gave the young woman first aid after she crashed her scooter before the 26-year-old was rushed to Townsville University Hospital.
Ms Styleman then underwent emergency surgery before dying later that night.
She had been working at Magnetic Island’s Saltwater Restaurant for about six months before her life was tragically cut short.
Daniel Blakeman, who owns the venue with his wife Jen, said the bubbly blonde had been an ‘amazing’ person and a ‘true inspiration’ to her fellow employees.
‘The first thing I noticed about Romy was her big beautiful smile and her blonde shoulder length hair,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘She was amazing at creating our entrees and desserts.
‘Front of house superstar with a great big smile every time. It’s not fair that her life was taken from this world so soon. Romy will be very missed.
‘On behalf of Saltwater and the team we send out condolences, strength and prayers to her family and friends in Belgium and the ones she created here.’
The keen traveller first arrived in Australia in November and recently spent time in Vietnam where she hiked mountains and somersaulted into clear blue water.
She commemorated the trip with a tattoo which reads: ‘Chaos makes the muse’.
She reflected on her 26th birthday with a sweet video montage on June 20, just three days before she would fatally crash.
‘Celebrating your 26th birthday on the other side of the world feels odd,’ she wrote.
The keen traveller first arrived in Australia in November and recently spent time in Vietnam where she hiked mountains and somersaulted into clear blue water
Ms Styleman (pictured) had been providing her followers on social media with almost daily updates of her time on Magnetic Island, about 8km offshore from Townsville
‘On one hand, it makes me miss my family and friends. Wishing they were here today. But on the other hand, it makes me feel grateful to be able to live this type of life. To be surrounded by new friends who impacted your life in such a short period of time. There are not enough words to describe how genuinely happy I am today.
‘Everyday I am becoming a better version of myself, doing things I want and love and making the best of this life. This will be the one I’ll never forget.
‘Me to myself Happy 26th Birthday Rooms, you got this.’
Devastated friends and family from her home in Belgium and her travels in Australia left tributes to the bubbly graphic designer in the comments.
‘I can’t believe this happened. She is the most amazing soul,’ one woman wrote.
‘Meeting her in Australia was a blessing and I’ll never forget that beautiful energy. Definitely too good for this world.’
‘Oh, sweet thing. The world is a sad place without you. You have brought much joy to everyone’s life. You won’t be forgotten. Rest easy,’ a second wrote.
A third wrote: ‘Already missing you’.
A GoFundMe campaign to help Ms Styleman’s family cover repatriation and funeral costs has so far raised almost $3,000
Ms Styleman (pictured) reflected on her 26th birthday with a sweet video montage on June 20, just three days before the fatal scooter crash
A GoFundMe campaign to help Ms Styleman’s family cover repatriation and funeral costs has so far raised almost $3,000.
‘Romy, who was chasing her dreams in Australia, died in an accident there,’ organiser Ester Patroons wrote.
‘Unfortunately, there are some costs involved in the event of a death abroad. With this action I would like to lend a helping hand to the family to keep the financial side of this drama bearable.
‘All support is welcome to be able to offer Romy a nice and warm farewell.’
Ms Styleman was wearing a helmet when she crashed into the street sign last Friday and suffered internal injuries in the collision.
Police said the indication she was speeding or under the influence.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk