A BRITISH dad has tragically died alone in Thailand while chasing his dream of becoming a Thai boxer.
Ryan O’Connor, 30, passed away just days before his wife gave birth to their second child back home in the UK.
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.
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’Connor
“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!
“Ryan was deeply loved, and this outpouring of support is a true reflection of the impact he had on so many lives.”
