Triumphs and Tragedies in Sports

Australian golfer Jessica Bang, 18, succumbed to a brain haemorrhage, while British cyclist Finlay Tarling, 19, died following a race accident.

Rookie professional golfer Jessica Bang, 18, dies after brain hemorrhage

Jessica Bang, an 18-year-old Australian rookie professional golfer and a promising talent in the sport, died on Thursday after suffering a brain hemorrhage in Thailand earlier this month as she was preparing for a tournament.

The WPGA Tour of Australasia said in a statement it was “deeply saddened” by the passing of the teenager, who collapsed on August 1. Bang’s family said she died at Synphaet Ramintra Hospital in Bangkok on Thursday morning.

A GoFundMe page organized by the family has received over 51,000 AUD ($36,200; £26,700) in donations as of Friday. On the fundraising page, Bang’s family previously wrote that she was on life support in the intensive care unit. They said the funds raised were originally targeted towards transporting her home, but will now help her family pay medical expenses.

“We are truly heartbroken by this news,” the family said. “However, we would like to continue to remember Jessica and celebrate her achievements, passion, and dedication to golf.”

British cyclist Finlay Tarling, 19, dies after accident at Volta a Portugal

British cyclist Finlay Tarling has died aged 19 after an accident during the Volta a Portugal race which caused the eighth stage to be neutralised.

Race organisers and the Portuguese Cycling Federation said in a statement Friday that Tarling, who rides for NSN Development Team, died “following a serious accident” which occurred during the eighth stage of the race, between the northern municipality of Melgaco and Fafe.

Police later confirmed, in a statement circulated to local media, that there had been a collision between a cyclist and a light goods vehicle. An investigation is underway, they added.

The statement from race organisers read: “At this time of deep sorrow, the organisers of the Volta a Portugal and the Portuguese Cycling Federation extend their deepest condolences to Finlay Tarling’s family, his teammates, the NSN Development Team, and all his friends and loved ones.”

- Author: Leon Imber, The Athletic