TRAGIC details of an Australian sprinter who died in a horror crash while on holiday with her family in Thailand have emerged.
Rising star Jemma Stapleton, 25, was motorbiking in Koh Samui when she collided with a vehicle – just two weeks after her birthday.
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Jemma Stapleton died aged 25 in Thailand Credit: Instagram
The rising athlete was involved in a horror motorbike crash Credit: Instagram
Local cops said slippery road conditions and rain appeared to have been a factor in the crash which involved three vehicles.
The promising athlete struck a car at 3:45pm on Wednesday on a curved section of a highway in Bo Put.
Local police said a Subaru driven by a 38-year-old, as well as a Honda with a 27-year-old woman behind the wheel, were involved in the fatal smash.
Horrifying footage released by local police appeared to show Jemma’s motorcycle losing control before swerving into the opposite lane.
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The promising runner was killed while on holiday with loved ones Credit: Getty
She was a finalist in the Stawell Gift, a renowned footrace in Australia Credit: Instagram
She was riding just ahead of loved ones at the time who were also motorbiking, police said.
Doctors said she suffered severe head injuries and bruising on her body.
The athlete was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jemma, from Melbourne, began her athletics career from a young age – before eventually becoming a finalist in the Stawell Gift.
Jemma was described as ‘the best sister’ by her brother Credit: Instagram/jemmastapleton
A GoFundMe said the athlete ‘lost her life in an accident while overseas’ Credit: Instagram/jemmastapleton
The competition is Australia‘s oldest professional footrace.
Heartbreaking tributes have poured in for the tragic runner, with her partner Tyler Gray saying: “I cannot put into words the hurt I am feeling.
“You are the single greatest thing to happen to me and I am so grateful for the love we shared. I love you with all my heart.”
Her brother Joel also posted a tribute on his Instagram, hailing Jemma as “the best sister” and his “best friend.”
“I love you so much, I promise I’ll make you proud,” he wrote. “You were the best sister and my best friend, I’ll forever miss you.”
A GoFundMe started by family friends said the athlete “lost her life in an accident while overseas” but did not share further details.
“It is with great sadness that our beautiful friends the Stapleton family are facing the unmeasurable grief while on a family holiday with the passing of their beautiful daughter, sister and partner Jemma,” the post said.
Created on Thursday, the page has already surpassed its $100,000 goal.
Declan Smith, who is behind the fundraiser, said Jemma would have been “absolutely overwhelmed” to see her community come together in this way, adding that it is “a true reflection of the beautiful person she was.”
Tributes to the Stawell Gift finalist have flooded in from the athletics community, praising her for the “immense talent, determination and love for athletics.”
Knox Little Athletics, which Jemma had competed with, said that she will be remembered with “great fondness.”
A statement said: “Jemma was part of the Knox Little Athletics community as a Little Athlete with the Rowville Club.
“From an early age, Jemma showed great talent, determination and love for athletics, achieving success at Knox Championship level and going on to represent Knox at State level.
“Jemma later continued her athletics journey in the Victorian Athletic League, where she achieved outstanding success, including winning the Women’s Ringwood Gift and competing with distinction at the Stawell Gift, finishing 3rd in 2025.
“Her achievements on the track were a reflection of her dedication, competitive spirit and the joy she brought to the sport.”
The Victorian Athletic League (VAL) President, Charlie Sutherland, added Jemma was “a vibrant, shining light within the tight-knit Australian professional running family and the wider athletics community”.
“The entire VAL family is devastated by this immense loss,” he said.
In a separate statement, VAL said Jemma was a “valued member of our community whose presence, character and contribution left a lasting impact on those around her.”
Meanwhile, Rowville Netball Club paid a touching tribute to their former player saying the “loss of someone so young is simply unimaginable”.
“Jemma will always be remembered as part of our Rowville Netball Club family, and our thoughts are with all who are grieving this tragic loss,” they added.
