Rohina Bhandari, a Wall Street private equity manager was killed by a tiger shark while diving with a group off a Costa Rican island.
Bhandari suffered fatal bites to both her legs Thursday while diving with a group near Cocos Island, a national park about 300 miles off the Costa Rican mainland, the environment ministry said in a statement.
Julie Walker, a friend on Facebook said,
“Unbelievably sad and heartbreaking news that Rohina has died. She was such a wonderful person who loved life. I will always remember her kindness, friendship and our adventures together.”
According to a report in the local La Nacion, it was the group’s diving guide who noticed the shark approaching and tried to scare it away. As they surfaced, the shark swam directly at Bhandari and starting biting her legs. The guide tried to assist, but he got bitten too.
A group of doctors, also diving in the area, declaring her dead at the scene. The injured guide was taken to a hospital. He’s in stable condition and expected to survive.
Bhandari was a senior director at WL Ross & Co. LL, a firm founded by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. She often attended New York City charity events and lived on the Upper East Side.
Ashley Gendron also wrote a remembrance on her Facebook page,
“Rohina you were the brightest of lights that went out much too soon. My life was richer for having known you.”
Rohina Bhandari was 49. (Photo, Facebook; via New York Post)
