Mikala Jones has tragically died aged 44 after a freak accident severed his artery.
On Sunday morning at approximately 9AM, the Hawaiian surfer was involved in an accident while surfing along the coast of the Mentawai Islands while staying at the Awera Resort in North Sipora, Indonesia along with his family.
According to a report by Surfline, a surfboard fin severed his femoral artery from inside his left groin.
Jones was immediately rushed to a medical facility nearby after Awera Resort management notified them of the injury but unfortunately, the athlete was declared dead when he arrived.
The heartbreaking news was later confirmed by Jones' daughter, Isabella, who took to Instagram to post a tribute for her late father.
"I’m in so much disbelief right now, this doesn’t feel real," she began. " love you so much dad and I wish I could give you one last hug. I wish I could tell you again how much I love you and thank you for being the best dad. I wish you were still here with us, you weren’t supposed to leave yet. This is too soon."
"I know you are in a good place now with nana vi, and your friends. I wish this never happened and we could just wake up and go surf together tomorrow morning," she continued.
Isabella then explained that her father had been involved in a "bad surfing accident and didn't make it" before going on to write: "I miss you so much, I would do anything to get one more moment, even if it was us arguing and then laughing our asses off," she continued. "Thank you for teaching me so many life lessons, and always being there for me. I wish you were still here with us right now. I will always be thinking about you dad."
"I love you so much, thank you for everything. fly high ur a f****** legend," she concluded.
Thousands of heartbroken fans took to the comments to leave tributes for the family, with many offering kind words support during this difficult time.
"We all loved your dad. If there’s anything you ever need please don’t hesitate , there’s thousands of us around the world here for you," wrote one user while another added: "Love you so much I’m grateful to have known him. If you ever need anything will always be here for you and your family."
Other professional surfers also left their condolences in the comments including Tia Blanco who wrote: "Your dad was one of the nicest humans I’ve encountered in the surfing community. So sad to hear this news. Sending you love & strength. So sorry about this."
Taylor Knox also described the 44-year-old as a "shining example of what an amazing humble human is."
A few hours later and Isabella started reposting heartfelt tributes from friends onto her Instagram Stories.
In one of the posts, she shared a clip of the family of four, writing: "It will never be the same" with a broken heart emoji.
She also shared two collages of her father, calling on people to send her their old photos of the professional surfer so she could see them.
"Thank you everyone for all the love and support means the world," she wrote, alongside a praying hands and red heart emoji after the request.
As per Surfline, Mikala was known for his "expert tube riding in dangerous waves" and his incredible footage of surfing inside barrels with his GoPro, which made him "easily one of the 21st century’s most photogenic surfers."
He is survived by his wife Emma, his two daughters, his sister Malia and his brothers Keoni and Daniel.
Our thoughts are with Mikala's loved ones.
