Mother of Two Dies After Rickshaw Crash, Police Launch Investigation
A woman sustained a fatal brain injury after the rickshaw she was riding in overturned and she was struck by another vehicle.
A mother of two has died after sustaining a "catastrophic" brain injury in a rickshaw crash in Dublin on September 26. Danielle O'Keane, 37, was on her way from a Westlife concert at the 3Arena to meet her husband in the city center when the pedal-powered vehicle hit a curb and overturned around 11 p.m. O'Keane, from Newry in Northern Ireland, was thrown from the rickshaw and reportedly struck by an oncoming vehicle.
Paramedics transported O'Keane to Dublin's Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, where she was placed on a ventilator in the ICU. Despite medical efforts, doctors determined her brain injury was "life-ending," and she passed away on October 1. The Irish police, the Gardai, have launched an appeal for witnesses, particularly those with dashcam footage from the North Wall Quay area between 10:30 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. on the night of the incident.
Images from the scene show the overturned rickshaw and forensic specialists examining the cordoned-off crash site. O'Keane's death has prompted an outpouring of sympathy, and a GoFundMe campaign for her family has raised nearly £130,000. A message on the fundraising page stated that she had two young sons, aged five and two, and her husband was set to start a new job, which he is now unable to do as he remains with his injured wife.
Her brother-in-law, Derek, told the Irish Mirror that the family was due to travel to Mallorca for a holiday on October 5, with their bags already packed. He described O'Keane as "full of life, full of energy, heart of gold" and a young woman with "the world at her feet."
Westlife members Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne, and Shane Filan paid tribute to O'Keane during a concert in Newcastle Upon Tyne on Saturday. They dedicated the songs "Flying Without Wings" and "You Raise Me Up" to her, with Nicky Byrne stating there were "no words" to describe the tragedy and Shane Filan adding that "You Raise Me Up" was sung in memory of those who have lost loved ones.
Heartbreaking online tributes have also been shared. One person wrote of O'Keane being "one of the friendliest and kindest people" and expressed condolences to her family. Another described her as a "brilliant girl" and offered strength and love to her husband, children, and wider family circle.
Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Store Street Garda Station at 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.