EXCLUSIVE British father, 30, dies while pursuing dream of Thai boxing just days before his wife gave birth to their second child
Ryan O'Connor, 30, a cherished husband, father, and much-loved figure in the Rossendale community, passed away on June 28 after falling seriously ill while pursuing his lifelong dream of training at a Thai boxing academy.
His grieving wife Joanne O'Connor, a local math teacher, gave birth to their baby girl Maya Jasmine O'Connor yesterday morning, surrounded by family but haunted by the absence of her husband.
Ryan had flown to Thailand on May 29, embracing what his brother, Liam, told MailOnline was his 'last chance' to fulfil a lifelong goal before his second baby was born.
'He just wanted to do it before he had two children,' Liam, who has set up a GoFundMe, said.
'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.'
However, tragedy struck just weeks later when he became suddenly unwell, bedridden with severe diarrhoea and what the family suspect was a serious infection.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Ryan managed a video call to his parents on June 26, during which he described his symptoms.
Concerned, his father contacted his hotel to request urgent medical help.
But by the time the emergency service personnel had arrived to his room, Ryan had collapsed on his bathroom floor and gone into cardiac arrest.
In a moment of hope, medics managed to restart his heart after working on him for 15 agonising minutes, and he was placed on life support.
Tragically, his condition deteriorated rapidly.
He went into septic shock the following day, with his kidneys failing, and passed away the next morning.
Ryan, who Liam described as 'loud', 'funny' and 'my best friend', died just days before his 31st birthday.
Joanne, now left to raise two children, including nearly-three-year-old Riley and newborn Maya, is facing a future filled with uncertainty and grief.
The GoFundMe fundraiser was launched by Liam to support Joanne and her children in the wake of Ryan's sudden death.
The campaign aims to help cover mounting costs, including essential living expenses, the possible repatriation of Ryan's remains, medical bills, and longer-term support for the young family.
In a heartfelt appeal on the donation site, 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.
'If you knew Ryan, you would know he was a great dad and husband. 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.
'Please consider donating whatever you can and share this page widely. Every donation, no matter how small, would make a huge difference.
'Thank you from the bottom of our hearts'.
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