A father-to-be has died after plunging around 20ft during a horror rock-climbing accident – leaving his pregnant wife facing motherhood without him.
Andy Paul Ferrarone, 33, suffered severe head trauma in the fall and was placed on life support before tragically dying three days later.
His wife Nina is now around nine weeks pregnant with the couple’s first child and is preparing to welcome their baby without her husband by her side, as reported by Need To Know.
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According to a fundraiser, Nina is now facing “the challenge of preparing for parenthood alone” following the devastating loss.
The couple had built a home together in San Diego and were known by friends and family for their “warmth and outgoing spirit”.
Andy was an accomplished software engineer who had grown up in Philadelphia before living in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe, eventually settling in San Diego with Nina.
The keen adventurer had a passion for rock climbing alongside snowboarding, tennis, photography, sailing, skydiving, cooking and playing jazz piano.
Pictures shared in his obituary show him enjoying the outdoors and spending time with Nina and their German Shepherd, Rocco.
The tragic accident happened on July 12 while Andy was rock climbing in Big Bear, California.
He fell roughly 20ft and suffered serious head injuries, according to reports citing the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Andy, who was a triplet, was placed on life support but died from his injuries on July 15.
Nina, who works as a flight attendant, had taken time away from her job after discovering she was expecting.
The fundraiser says donations will help cover the costs of Andy’s life support treatment, the rent on the couple’s home and “essential baby supplies and necessities” for Nina’s first year as a mother.
It adds that supporting Nina will help “honor Andy’s memory and ensure his legacy lives on through their baby.”
A funeral is due to take place on August 15, according to the fundraiser.
His loved ones are now hoping to help Nina keep the home she shared with Andy while easing the financial burden left behind by his sudden death.
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