Brit dad, 30, tragically dies on ‘lifelong' dream Thai boxing trip just days before birth of his second child
Ryan O'Connor, 30, passed away just days before his wife gave birth to their second child back home in the UK.
3
3
3
The beloved husband, dad, and well-known member of the Rossendale community died on June 28 after falling seriously ill at a Thai boxing academy.
The dad-of-two had flown out to Thailand on May 29, determined to tick off a lifelong goal before becoming a dad for the second time.
Ryan's brother Liam said: 'He just wanted to do it before he had two children.
'He thought he couldn't go out there before having two children.
'It was his last chance to go and do something that he's always wanted to do.'
But the dream turned to tragedy just weeks later when Ryan became suddenly unwell, bedridden with severe diarrhoea and what his family suspects was a serious infection.
He managed a video call to his parents on June 26, describing his symptoms - prompting his dad to contact Ryan's hotel to ask for urgent medical help.
By the time emergency workers arrived, Ryan had collapsed on the bathroom floor and gone into cardiac arrest.
Medics managed to restart his heart after 15 harrowing minutes and placed him on life support.
But his condition worsened rapidly. He slipped into septic shock, his kidneys began to fail, and he passed away the next morning - just days before what would have been his 31st birthday.
Brit, 22, rushed to hospital after 'falling off boat in Magaluf & getting caught in propeller after drinking with pals'
Back home in the UK, Ryan's wife Joanne, a local maths teacher, welcomed their baby girl Maya Jasmine O'Connor Sunday morning —surrounded by loved ones but shattered by the loss of her husband.
She is now facing a future raising early-three-year-old Riley and newborn Maya alone.
In a heartfelt plea on the GoFundMe page set to support the grieving family, Liam wrote: '(Joanne) now faces the unimaginable pain of preparing to bring new life into the world whilst coping with the uncertainty of their future and the devastating knowledge that their new daughter will never meet her father.
'Riley, the first child who is nearly three, will not see her father again.'
'We are raising this money to help Joanne and her family manage the unknown costs ahead, including support for her two young children, keeping their roof over their head's, medical expenses, possible repatriation for Ryan and other costs associated with raising two young children alone, one of whom is due to arrive any day now.'
He added: 'If you knew Ryan, you would know he was a great dad and husband.
It was his last chance to go and do something that he's always wanted to do
Liam O'ConnorRyan's brother
'His strength, humour, and warmth have touched so many people.
'Now it's our turn to rally around him and his family during their darkest hour.'
The GoFundMe campaign has already raised more than £42,000 towards its £50,000 goal, with almost 1,000 donations pouring in.
In an update, Liam wrote: 'Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude.
'In less than one week, we hit our £40k goal!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits to witness rare Sturgeon Moon in coming days - when and where to see it
Many people claim to struggle with sleep during the rare event The full Sturgeon Moon is set to rise on Saturday, August 9, and many Brits are preparing for a potentially sleepless night. Named after North America's largest fish, the August full moon - known as the 'Sturgeon Moon', will be visible in the UK at 8.54am. This name originates from the large number of sturgeon fish that were typically found in North America's Great Lakes around this time of year. In the UK, it is also known as the Corn Moon, a nod to the start of the harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere when crops are abundant. An increasing number of people are reporting symptoms of 'full moon insomnia', attributing their vivid dreams, midnight awakenings, and difficulty falling asleep to the lunar cycle. And there may be some truth to these claims. Interest in lunar cycles has surged, with Google searches for this year's Sturgeon Moon increasing by 650 per cent. Social media platforms are awash with videos discussing how full moons disrupt sleep, with one TikTok video garnering over 68,000 views and sparking a lively debate in the comments section. A recent poll conducted by Dreams found that 62 per cent of respondents believe the moon affects their sleep. Nearly half (48 per cent) confirmed that their sleep is disrupted every time there is a full moon. Additionally, 37 per cent reported having trouble falling asleep, 31 per cent experienced vivid or strange dreams, and 25 per cent woke up in the middle of the night. Dreams' sleep expert Sammy Margo has offered her insight on the popular topic, disclosing whether there's more to it than moonlight and myths, and what steps you can take to guarantee a peaceful night's rest, even during a full moon. "Multiple studies have found that during the full moon phase, people may experience shorter sleep durations, lower sleep efficiency, and reduced melatonin levels," says Sammy. "So, while there's a strong psychological element to the full moon effect, biology may also be playing a part." Below Sammy explains why and offers her top tips to beat the Sturgeon Moon slump:. Moon proof your room 'The full moon increases natural light at night, and that brightness, even if it is subtle, may suppress melatonin - the hormone that helps regulate sleep. Use blackout curtains or a comfortable eye mask to block out the extra moonlight and keep your sleep environment as dark as possible. A properly dark room helps your body stay in sync with its natural sleep-wake cycle.' Try this moonlight mimicry hack 'In the evening before the full moon, make sure you watch the sunset for about 5 to 10 minutes, as the gradual descent into darkness will signal melatonin production through your eyes' light-sensitive cells As well as this, make sure the lights in your home are either warm toned, dim or wear blue light blocking glasses. This may trick your brain into syncing with the natural light-dark cycle before the moon gets too bright.' Create a calming 'moon wind-down' 'Resist the urge to scroll through full moon TikToks before bed. Instead, turn that energy into something restorative. Try a simple bedtime ritual with low-light activities like reading, deep breathing - such as lion's breath, a technique where you inhale deeply through the nose and exhale forcefully through the mouth while sticking out your tongue to release tension - or alternate nostril breathing, where you gently close one nostril at a time while breathing in and out through the other, helping to balance the nervous system and quiet the mind. Just five minutes can help calm the nervous system, release tension, and ease your body into rest mode." Bedding texture trick "During a full moon, your body can be subtly overstimulated without you even realising it. One simple trick? Swap your usual duvet for a different texture - try using a soft blanket instead or layer a different fabric on top. "This small change in sensory input can help interrupt the overactive thought loops that keep you awake. It's a bit like flipping your pillow to the cool side." Try 'lunar logging' to clear your mind 'The full moon can stir up emotions and mental clutter, so try writing in a 'moon mood log' before bed. Jot down your thoughts, worries, or even tomorrow's to-do list to offload your mind and help to prevent middle-of-the-night wakeups. And if you're feeling off, that's okay, blame the moon, then let it go. Give the moon credit, then shift your focus to what you can control: your mindset, your environment, and your routine. Lunar logging isn't just about clearing your head, it's about setting yourself up for the best night's sleep possible.'
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Horrifying video shows out-of-control rally car veer into crowd killing two spectators
Two adults were killed and three people injured after a vehicle slammed into them at a race in Ecuador. The tragic incident unfolded after dozens of spectators gathered along a narrow, two-lane road to celebrate the annual 'Return to Ecuador' race in Ambato, a city in the central province of Tungurahua, on Wednesday afternoon. Those who died were identified as Santiago Ortiz, 52, and Daniela Espin, 21. Ortiz's son was rushed to a hospital and underwent surgery to have both his legs amputated. Footage filmed by one of the spectators showed the vehicle traveling at a high speed and just missed hitting two men who were recording it as it veered off the paved road. A second video showed the race car sliding down the road and mowing down a group of fans before barreling into a parked vehicle. The car then flipped in the air. The impact of the accident sent several spectators running from the parked vehicle, including one man who fell to the ground but immediately got back up as one of the tires just missed rolling over his body. Race car is seen veering towards crowd in heart-stopping video Daniela Espin, a 21-year-old model and dancer, was one of the two people who were killed after a car lost control and mowed down a group of spectators at rally race in Ambato, Ecuador on Wednesday. Espin's twin sister was among three people who were injured Santiago Ortiz died from injuries he sustained after he was hit by a race car at the 'Return to Ecuador' rally on Wednesday. His 13-year-old was injured and had both of his legs amputated Online news outlet Infobae reported that the race car was just 982 feet away from crossing the finish line. El Comercio newspaper reported that the driver, Mauricio Herdoiza, and his passenger, José Sevilla, were not injured. Ecuadorian newspaper Extra reported that Ortiz and his son had been supporting a family member who was in the race. Espin, a model and dancer, joined two of her sisters to watch her first race, her mother Margarita Espin told the newspaper. Daniela's twin sister was also injured the accident and has since been discharged from hospital 'They went out together… and only one returned,' Margarita heartbreakingly said. One of Espin's aunts told Extra that the family learned of the accident through social media and became more concerned after she failed to respond to their messages. Ambato Mayor Luis Constante told the local media that a permit had been issued for the yearly race that's part of the city's tradition and that a capacity of 200 people were allowed to attend. Spectators run for their lives as the car veers into the crowd Smoke fills the air as people try to escape from the scene of the deadly crash Pictured: Rally race vehicle involved in the accident that left two people dead and three injured in Ambato, Ecuador on Wednesday The race car is seen veering in the crowd above 'There were ambulances, paramedics, everything required by law,' Constante said. The Tungurahua Attorney General's Office is investigating the accident.
The Independent
16 hours ago
- The Independent
Duncan Scott stamps mark as British swimming icon with Worlds glory
Duncan Scott 's sensational last leg secured a British victory in the men's 4×200m freestyle relay final in Singapore, as the Scottish superstar continues to cement his legacy as one of Britain's greatest ever swimmers. The quartet of Scott, Matt Richards, James Guy and Jack McMillan maintained Team GB 's dominance in this event, with victory at the World Aquatics Championships adding to gold medal success at the Olympics in Tokyo and Paris. They also secured Britain's first swimming medal at these championships, as they reclaimed a title that they last won in 2023. Success in Southeast Asia means Scott can add yet another medal to his ever-increasing collection. The Glasgow-born swimmer is now aiming to become the most decorated British Olympian of all time at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. 'We can't think this is normal, this is pretty special,' Scott told The Independent. 'We can't take it for granted at all because that was so hard fought and everyone's kind of looking at us now and challenging us.' With eight medals to his name, Scott is currently joint second with Bradley Wiggins in the list of Britain's most decorated Olympians. The pair are one medal behind retired cyclist Jason Kenny. Scott made history in Tokyo after becoming the first ever British athlete to win four medals at a single Olympic Games. He continued his success in Paris last year, securing a second gold medal in the 4x200m relay. Attention is now inevitable turning to Los Angeles in 2028, with Scott having the chance to go clear as Britain's most decorated Olympian. But the Scottish swimmer is trying to stay focused on more immediate races in the pool. 'It's tough as a 28-year-old, you just try and take each one as you can. I guess it's a good thing and a bad thing, with the way the swimming world works. It's straight on to the next Olympic cycle. It'd be quite cool if there was something else,' said Scott. He took a three-month break from the pool at the end of last year, jetting off for some rest and relaxation in Bali, Australia and Hawaii. The mini-sabbatical coincided with a change of coach, with Ben Higson replacing long-time trainer Steven Tigg, who has stepped up to the role of Aquatics GB Swimming head coach. Time away from the sport has seen Scott return with a more laid-back approach, although he is yet to find the same level of form that he showed last year, missing out on a medal in the 200m individual medley in Singapore. 'This year has been quite nice. I've taken the foot off the gas emotionally, allowing me to enjoy some other aspects of my life,' said Scott. 'That's maybe why performances were a little bit off in the 200 IM (individual medley) final, but that's also the reality of what I kind of thought as well.' Great Britain started Friday's final as heavy favourites and looked worthy of that tag after strong swims from Matt Richards and James Guy. But the race tightened up during Jack McMillan's third leg, with China and the United States reeling Great Britain in. The 25-year-old Belfast swimmer came back strongly in the latter stages of his leg, before handing over in second place for a thrilling finale. Scott flew off the starting block and stormed down the pool, kicking off his anchor leg in phenomenal style. Speaking after the race, the Olympic champion said that he went out harder than usual in order to get ahead and be able to swim in clear water. 'I thought I executed pretty well, but the boys put me in a good position,' he said. 'Jack finished really strong and allowed me to start with a good momentum.' Scott's final leg was clocked at 1:43.82, as Great Britain took top spot on the podium ahead of China and Australia. Relay success ended a six-day weight for a British swimming medal in Singapore, following a number of near misses including Scott's fourth place in the individual medley. Angharad Evan, 22, went close to snatching a bronze medal earlier on Friday evening, but she faded in the closing stages of the 200m breaststroke final. 'I just had to use my heart in the last 25 metres. All my body was numb and it was just my heart that I had to use to get my hand to the wall', explained Evan. 'I ended up being in fifth place, but there is so much more room to improve on that event.' There is still hope of more British success in the Southeast Asian city-state, with Ben Proud securing a spot in the final of the men's 50m freestyle. He will compete for a place on the podium in Saturday evening's session after recording the sixth-fastest time in the semi-finals.
