A tragic incident off the coast of California’s San Francisco Bay Area has claimed the life of an engineer. The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the victim of the kayaking fishing accident was 45-year-old Zongde Qiu, a resident of Cupertino.
According to a GoFundMe page, on August 3, Qiu was fishing in the waters near Pacifica Beach and fell into the ocean from his kayak.
His friend Tong Gao, wrote on GoFundMe that after Qiu fell into the sea, he was unable to return to the kayak for “unknown reasons”. Gao stated that Qiu was later found by surfers, taken to the hospital, but medical staff were unable to revive him.
Mr. Gao mentioned that Qiu was always cautious and well-prepared whenever he went kayaking. He added that Qiu leaves behind a wife and two daughters.
The GoFundMe page mentioned that Qiu was the sole breadwinner for his family. His sudden passing has left his family in financial distress, struggling to afford his funeral expenses and other immediate needs.
Before working as an engineer in Silicon Valley, Qiu had studied at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the risks individuals face when engaging in recreational activities, and the importance of safety measures while enjoying outdoor pursuits. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Zongde Qiu during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.