Surfer dies after hitting his head on sandbar in ‘freak accident,’ loved ones say

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. (Gray News) - A Florida surfer’s loved ones were praying he would make a miraculous recovery after being seriously injured in a “freak accident.”

But on Wednesday they announced that 49-year-old Jorge Alvarado did not survive his injury.

Alvarado was surfing last Friday morning near the Sunglow Pier in Daytona Beach Shores when he fell off his board and hit his head on a sandbar before he was swept under the pier.

Good Samaritans who witnessed the incident rescued him, WFTV reports.

Alvarado was on life support at the hospital, his friends said. He suffered a fractured neck in the incident, which they described as a “freak accident.”

“He loves everyone, and for an accident like this to happen to someone like that – a freak accident, a surfing accident – it is just the most devastating thing,” longtime friend Todd Ayers told WFTV.

Alvarado was a father and grandfather who was like family to many in the local surfing community, other friends told WKMG.

“Jorge is the embodiment of the phrase ‘this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine,’” said his friend, Chris Chibbaro. “I think the most important thing is that he’s alive, he’s strong and he’s fighting.”

Alvarado’s loved ones were praying for a miracle.

“We love you, Jorge. We love you so much. We love your family, and the whole world is pulling for you, I promise,” Chibbaro told WKMG.

Alvarado did make some improvements since he was first hospitalized, but he ultimately died.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help his family with expenses.

“Rest easy. We love you, brother,” loved ones shared. “Jorge was loved by so many people and he will truly be missed.”