Photo: ISA/Pablo Jimenez

American surfer Patrick Philips, 56, died after suffering a wipeout at Teahupoo, local media outlet Radio 1 reported, citing statements from authorities to Tahitian media.

The tragedy took place last Thursday on a not-so-great day in the dangerous coral reef.

“The victim fell off the board, hit his head on the reef and fractured two cervical vertebrae,” said Teahupo'o Mayor Milton Parker.

Surfers present were the first to attend to him and revive him so that he could then be urgently transferred to a nearby hospital.

A friend of his, Greg Sinclair, wrote on Facebook: "Patrick Phillips, an old friend from San Diego, passed away earlier this week while surfing in Tahiti. At the moment, I have no information about what happened. My condolences to his wife and two children, his family, and his friends, who now share his grief."

The last recorded death at the wave was that of local Brice Tearea, who died in 2000 after going over the falls on a wave that crashed over his head. He hit his head and suffered several injuries.

The most prominent feature in Teahupoo these days is the abundance of boats and how close they position themselves to the wave to get good photographs and a good view of the waves.

They sell it as a tourist attraction.