By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-04 02:06:40 | Updated at 2025-01-06 06:23:10
2 days ago
A beloved and heavily-pregnant California school teacher died after falling while on a hiking trip in Greece.
Clara Thomann, 33, had been traveling through Plakias, Crete, with her partner Elliott Finn when she fell during a hike and died on December 23.
Thomann, who is from Santa Barbara, was six months pregnant at the time, according to SFGate and was a teacher at the Dos Pueblos High School.
According to The Greek Reporter, she had slipped and tumbled 50 meters down a gorge from a hiking trail near the Preveli Monastery in the Rethymno region.
The outlet reported that she was pronounced brain dead less than a week after the fall, that caused her to suffer major injuries to her skull and chest.
Tragically Thomann lost her unborn child in the fall, with 21 firefighters and rescue teams battling to reach her from what was described as an inaccessible spot.
Her family traveled to the country to visit her before her death, with Veronica Katz writing on her CaringBridge page, seen by SFGate, that she 'loved helping and teaching others'.
Clara Thomann, 33, had been traveling through Plakias, Crete, with her partner Elliott Finn when she fell during a hike and died on December 23
Thomann, who is from Santa Barbara, was six months pregnant at the time, according to SFGate and was a teacher at the Dos Pueblos High School
She added: 'Life can be random and painful but we know that Clara would want us to all learn from this terrible experience and use it as ‘una excusa para juntar y celebrar'.
Katz added: 'Clara loved this Thomann family motto. Making ‘excuses to gather and celebrate’ with family and friends for whatever minor or major reason was something that Clara loved.'
Another posted: 'My son was her student and she was his favorite teacher. Starting high school is nerve wracking having her as his first period as a freshman made it so much more bearable.
'I appreciated the leadership she showed in her classroom and how she made physics fun and interesting and the love that each student felt from her. She will be missed but never forgotten.'
While Dos Pueblos Principal Bill Woodard told Noozhawk: 'There are no words to describe the sadness we are all feeling.
She had slipped and tumbled 50 meters down a gorge from a hiking trail near the Preveli Monastery in the Rethymno region. Clara and Elliott are seen here
According to her social media she had worked as a physics teacher. Her family have announced they would be donating her organs
Thomann had slipped and tumbled 50 meters down a gorge from a hiking trail near the Preveli Monastery in the Rethymno region in Crete (pictured)
'Ms. Thomann was so kind and such a great teacher who loved her students and loved science. Our hearts break for her family and for all of us who are feeling this loss.
'We understand that this news brings pain and shock, especially to those who had the privilege of knowing Ms. Thomann, which is why we are committed to supporting our students and families.'
In a post to her CaringBridge, her partner Finn said: 'We’ve been celebrating Clari, hiking to beaches and collecting shells, rocks, and more memories. Thanks so much for all the love and support.'
According to her social media she had worked as a physics teacher. Her family have announced they would be donating her organs.
