Tamirah Dix refused to eat lunch after the incident, then experienced vomiting and seizures prior to her death
Credit: GoFundMe
NEED TO KNOW
- A 40-year-old Georgia woman died after she reportedly sustained a head injury as she was about to go zip lining in Puerto Rico on March 28
- The woman’s condition deteriorated, causing her to vomit and have seizures, according to reports
- “This loss has been devastating,” the victim’s sister said
A 40-year-old woman from Georgia died after she reportedly hit her head while zip lining in Puerto Rico over the weekend.
“I'm really crushed because that's my everyday person,” Brittani Hebron told NBC affiliate WXIA of her best friend, Tamirah Dix, who died following a "freak accident" while vacationing in Puerto Rico on Saturday, March 28. “I'm on the phone with her at work, I'm on the phone with her after work.”
When Hebron received the devastating news, she said she had to pull her car over to the side of the highway.
"She'll lift me up, pick me up. She likes to elevate people," Hebron told WXIA.
That Saturday, Dix was at Toro Verde Adventure Park in Orocovis when she was reportedly struck in the head as she was about to go on a zip lining course, El Vocero reported. Despite the injury, Dix went on the zip line before rejoining her family, loved ones later told police.
At lunch, Dix refused to eat and later vomited. The family decided to drive back to their hotel in Dorado, but on Puerto Rico Highway 693, Dix’s health worsened, according to the report. She also experienced multiple seizures, according to WXIA.
While the group was on the highway, someone called 911 to report a medical emergency, El Vocero, Primera Hora and independent station WAPA reported. The victim was then transferred to an ambulance so she could be taken to a hospital in Dorado. Despite attempts to resuscitate her, Dix was pronounced dead that evening, according to the outlets.
Credit: Tamirah Dix/Facebook
Management from Toro Verde Adventure Park told WAPA that they had no record of a 40-year-old woman sustaining a blow or impact while zip lining, nor any record of an irregular situation.
“We will not make any further statements regarding this matter at this time, as it is an ongoing investigation; however, we reiterate that at Toro Verde Adventure Park, we maintain strict safety protocols that require the immediate notification of—and response to—any incident, no matter how minor,” Operations Manager Emanuel Ortiz said in a statement to the outlet.
“Our staff is highly trained to respond swiftly and effectively to any situation, adhering to internationally recognized standards," he added in the translated statement.
The park said it will cooperate with officials during the ongoing investigation, WAPA reported.
The Policía de Puerto Rico, the Toro Verde Adventure Park and Dix’s family did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
“It is with heavy hearts that I share the passing of my beloved baby sister Tamirah,” Rashida Dix, a woman who identified herself as Tamirah’s sister, wrote on a GoFundMe page. “This loss has been devastating, and we are now faced with the challenge of bringing her home and arranging a proper farewell.”
Credit: Google Maps
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Rashida said that transportation costs and funeral expenses were more than their family can manage. As of Thursday, April 2, the donation page has raised more than $6,000.
Rashida added, “Thank you for standing with our family during this painful time.”
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