Mother Dies After Rickshaw Crash Leaves Her With Catastrophic Injuries

A mother of two has died after suffering a “catastrophic” brain injury when the rickshaw she was travelling in crashed following a Westlife concert.

Danielle O’Keane, 37, had left Dublin’s 3Arena after the Irish band’s performance on September 26 and was travelling to meet her husband in the city centre.

At about 11pm, the pedal-powered rickshaw struck a kerb and overturned. Danielle was thrown from the vehicle and was reportedly struck by an oncoming car.

The mother, who was from Newry in Northern Ireland, was taken by ambulance to Dublin’s Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. She was placed on a ventilator in the intensive care unit.

Despite the efforts of medical staff, doctors said her brain injuries were “life-ending”. Danielle died on October 1.

Irish police have launched an appeal for witnesses who may have seen the crash or its aftermath to come forward.

Gardaí are particularly keen to hear from road users who were travelling near North Wall Quay between 10.30pm and 11.15pm on the night and may have dashcam footage.

Images from the scene showed the overturned rickshaw, while Garda forensic specialists examined the crash site after it was cordoned off.

Danielle’s death has prompted shock and an outpouring of sympathy across Ireland, with a GoFundMe campaign for her family raising almost £130,000.

A message on the fundraising page, written before Danielle died, said: “She has two little boys who are 5 and 2. Her husband was to start a new job today and is now unable to start as he is with his seriously injured wife.

“We want to help in any way we can with bills as they continue to come in. Any donation is greatly appreciated, along with prayers, and thank you in advance for any donations.”

Danielle, her husband Dave and their sons, aged five and two, had been due to take a family holiday in Mallorca at the beginning of October, her brother-in-law Derek revealed.

Speaking to the Irish Mirror, he said: “They were actually due to travel away to Mallorca on the fifth of October. The bags were packed and everything.

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“They were a young family with the world at their feet. So much to look forward to. Being deprived of so many opportunities in life together as a family.”

He added: “She was the most sweetest girl you’d ever meet in your life, full of life, full of energy, heart of gold.”

Derek said another woman who had been in the rickshaw told him Danielle had only been inside the vehicle for a matter of seconds before it overturned.

Westlife paid tribute to Danielle during their concert at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne on Saturday, the Irish News reported.

Band members Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan dedicated the songs ‘Flying Without Wings’ and ‘You Raise Me Up’ to Mrs O’Keane. 

Byrne said there were ‘no words’ to describe the tragedy of Danielle’s death and said the band was thinking of the ‘whole entire family’ before launching into ‘Flying Without Wings’.

Before they performed ‘You Raise Me Up’, Shane said: ‘This song is sung tonight to everybody who has lost somebody they love and for Danielle. We are going to celebrate them all up here, right now.’

A series of heartbreaking online tributes have been paid to Danielle, Belfast Live reported.   

One mourner wrote: ‘Danielle was one of the friendliest and kindest people. It was a pleasure working with you all those years ago. Thinking of your whole family at this extremely difficult time. Rest in Peace.’

Another added: ‘The saddest possible outcome for this brilliant girl I am honoured to have known and worked with. Strength and love to Dave, her wee babies and entire family circle at this incredibly hard unimaginable time.’

Anyone with information is asked to contact Store Street Garda Station on 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.