Nurse, 32, dies after being hit by car on Italy holiday as heartbroken family pay tribute

A&E nurse, 32, dies after being hit by car on Italy holiday as heartbroken family pay tribute Chani Knopf had been on her dream holiday in Italy for a friend's wedding when tragedy struck - and now family and friends are remembering her as a 'ray of human sunshine' A nurse has died on her dream holiday abroad after being hit by a car in Italy. Heartbroken family and friends of Chani Knopf say they will remember her as a ray of “human sunshine”. They also described her as someone who was always “kind, compassionate, funny and full of life”. The 32-year-old Australian woman was a nurse in A&E in New South Wales' Gosford Hospital. She died on September 3. She had been travelling in North-Eastern Italy when she was hit by a car at a pedestrian crossing. Chani had been travelling in Italy with four of her closest friends when she was mowed down, suffering catastrophic injuries as a result. Ms Knopf had been travelling in Italy with four of her closest friends at the time. They were in Europe to attend a wedding, but had extended their stay, travelling to the picturesque town of Montagnana where the fatal incident took place. She was placed in a coma after the crash in Montagnana, which is located about a 50-minute drive from Verona, before being airlifted to the nearby Padua University Hospital. But, despite the best efforts of her friends and medical staff as Padua, the 32-year-old never regained consciousness. Her best friend Melissa Wellman, 32, told News Corp Australia that her friends, who were all doctors, had only been moments down the road from her when disaster struck. They rendered aid right away, she added. “They stayed by Chani’s bedside every day while waiting for her parents to arrive in Italy,” Ms Wellman said. “They played her favourite music, surrounded her with love and spoke messages from the people who loved her to her right up until her final moments. “They are incredible people and were incredible friends to Chani. I will always be so grateful that she had them there with her.” Chani's parents, Susan and Ger, managed to make it to Italy all the way from Australia to be by her side as she drew her final breaths. They have urged hurting friends and family not to blame the driver involved in the tragic accident that claimed their daughter's life. The motorist stopped at the scene and provided assistance immediately after the accident. Her family confirmed Chani was able to donate her organs after her death, giving seven young people in Italy another chance at life. “It feels incredibly fitting for Chani, who loved life so deeply and dedicated her career to caring for others,” Ms Wellman said. “Her family have said that knowing her legacy continues in this way has brought them some comfort, and they know she would have been so happy to help others even after her passing. “She was amazing at what she did in her nursing career. She dedicated so much of her life to helping other people, both at work and outside of it. “It is difficult to find anyone who knew Chani who doesn’t have something beautiful to say about her. “Her kindness, generosity and love for life touched so many people, and I think that will always be a huge part of her legacy.” Her best friend added: “Chani loved sunrises and sunsets, the beach and the ocean. I hope that when the people who loved her see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, or find themselves by the ocean, they hold her in their hearts and think of her.” Friends of the 32-year-old nurse have set up a GoFundMe to help her family with the major expenses associated with repatriating her boy in the wake of her sudden death. Wellman said, as per the GoFundMe fundraiser: "The hope is to provide her parents with some financial breathing room so they can take the time they need to grieve, as they grapple with this unimaginable loss. "Most importantly, the fundraiser is a way for the community to surround Chani’s family with the same love, generosity and support that Chani gave so freely throughout her life." You can donate to the fundraiser here.