Altitude sickness kills Derry physiotherapist after volcano trek

A young British physiotherapist has died after suffering extreme altitude sickness on a volcano trek in Indonesia.

Lisa Orsi, from Derry city in Northern Ireland, was rushed to Singapore General Hospital in February, after collapsing in the shower. She slipped into a coma, and spent two weeks in intensive care.

The 22-year-old was pronounced dead on 6 March.

Her parents, Dennis and Sharon, who were at her bedside, described their daughter as a "caring person" who had an "infectious joy for life".

"Lisa was a bubbly, caring person whose infectious joy for life endeared her to so many people," they said in a statement.

Organ donation following a sudden death is compulsory in Singapore, unless the deceased is Muslim or expressed a desire to not donate their organs. Nine of Orsi's organs were harvested for transplants.

"Even in this dark hour we can look to take solace from knowing that even in her death Lisa's generosity has brought new life to others and given them a second chance," said the young woman's parents.

Orsi, who was said to be a fit and healthy young woman, was halfway through a two-year contract at Bright Vision Hospital in Hougang, a suburb in northeastern Singapore, before her death.

The sports lover, who had previously played Gaelic football for the Singapore Gaelic Lions, had been scheduled to travel to Abu Dhabi this weekend to watch her old team play.

Her parents added: "We brought Lisa back to Singapore as it is a place that is so very dear to her heart.

"She has always spoken of it as a second home and we have been so grateful to receive a homecoming welcome from her Singapore brothers and sisters."

Orsi's funeral will take place in Derry City next week.