Thread: British father, 30, dies while pursuing dream of Thai boxing

A family have been left shattered after a devoted father tragically died alone in Thailand just days before his wife gave birth to their third child back home in the UK.


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'.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknew...th/ar-AA1I8VYf

^

spot on.






for once!

That we agree on something, does not mean I cannae point out your blatant hypocrisy and racism. Which is mostly for attention on Teakdoor. You’re basically a boomer version of Edmond.

Originally Posted by DrWilly

That we agree on something, does not mean I cannae point out your blatant hypocrisy and racism. Which is mostly for attention on Teakdoor. You’re basically a boomer version of Edmond.

He didn't say you couldn't.

You could start an argument with a tree.

Bless, someone’s missing the attention.

To be fair, honestly, trees can​ have a bit of a attitude.

Originally Posted by armstrong

You could start an argument with a tree.

and he would lose.

just like he loses every other argument he has either started or engaged with

Righto Mao-lite.

The GoFundMe fundraiser was launched

aaah yes. another one with no travel insurance.

Originally Posted by DrWilly

Mao-lite.

How piss weak would that be.

Originally Posted by DrWilly

Bless, someone’s missing the attention.

I'm just a fan of the truth.

Originally Posted by taxexile

aaah yes. another one with no travel insurance.

Who said he didn't have travel insurance?

The GoFundMe fundraiser was launched by Liam to support Joanne and her children in the wake of Ryan’s sudden death.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Who said he didn't have travel insurance?

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.

Fundraiser by Liam O'''Connor : Ryan'''s Funeral & Support For His Family

if he had travel insurance both the medical costs and the cost of repatriating the corpse would be covered.

cheeky fukers, Go Fund Me won't accept 1/2 penny

Travel insurance doesn't cover death by explosive diarrhea.

Originally Posted by taxexile

if he had travel insurance both the medical costs and the cost of repatriating the corpse would be covered.

Oh I agree, it's just that it wasn't mentioned in the OP, so I was wondering how you drew that conclusion.

Travel insurance doesn't cover death by explosive diarrhea.

I wonder if it covers redecoration.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Oh I agree, it's just that it wasn't mentioned in the OP, so I was wondering how you drew that conclusion.

In the absence of factual information, tax falls back on his old ally.

he's previously posted on innumerable occasions.

most if not all travel insurance policies will cover medical expenses for hospitalisation due to gastro intestinal illness, unless of course in the previous 12 months he has been treated in the UK for a similar complaint, in which case he would probably not be covered. repatriation of remains would also be covered.

but i doubt that he will have had any travel insurance.

Originally Posted by cyrille

In the absence of factual information, tax falls back on his old ally.

he's previously posted on innumerable occasions.

Oh he'd obviously read another link but didn't bother posting it, assuming telepathy is still common among TD's finest.

Extremely sad story. I disagree he was a bad dad for flying to Thailand at that time.

See many lack empathy of the situation and death.

Originally Posted by MarilynMonroe

See many lack empathy of the situation and death.

The 'situation and death' () came after he cleared off to Thailand, leaving his heavily pregnant partner behind with his kid.

His death doesn't make it 'OK'.

Originally Posted by MarilynMonroe

I disagree he was a bad dad for flying to Thailand at that time.

i disagree that you disagree. Most sane fathers would be there for their partner, delivery dates aren't a dead cert. It is howevr sad she and the children will now have to get by without him.

Originally Posted by malmomike77

i disagree that you disagree. Most sane fathers would be there for their partner, delivery dates aren't a dead cert. It is howevr sad she and the children will now have to get by without him.

What I am getting from the article is he was known as a devoted dad and wanted to go before his recent baby was born.
He left on May 28th and got sick a few weeks later. We don't know if he was going to come home before or near when his baby was due. He was sick, perhaps that is why he couldn't come home?

I don't think he was a bad father, and maybe people are too quick to judge. It is very sad that his wife now has to raise the children by herself.
It is odd that he would go at that time for sure, but I wouldn't say he is a bad person, sounds like his wife was okay with it as he was fulfilling his dream before his last child was born.

Originally Posted by MarilynMonroe

sounds like his wife was okay with it.

You just made that up.