Crash victim Dylan saving five lives with his organ donation
Tragic ten-year-old died one day after birth of brother
A TEN-year-old boy who died after being struck by a van in Co. Clare had chosen to donate his organs just one month before tragedy struck, his mother has said.
Dylan Coady-Coleman died from his injuries on Wednesday morning at the Children’s Health Ireland hospital at Temple Street, Dublin.
The collision, which occurred shortly after 2pm on Sunday in Purcell Park, Shannon, involved a van and the young pedestrian.
At the time, Dylan was awaiting the birth of his baby brother, who was born just two days after the road collision. Shortly before he died, the fourth-class pupil got to meet his sibling.
In the aftermath of the accident, the deceased’s father, Garry Coleman, posted a picture of Dylan on social media, saying ‘We will always love you my best friend.’
The following day when his wife gave birth to a baby boy, Garry wrote: ‘Welcome to the world! Shane Dylan Coady-Coleman.’
The devastated dad then shared a final picture of his ten-year-old son from his hospital bed, with three jerseys placed on top of it. ‘RIP my best friend,’ he wrote.
Dylan’s heartbroken mother, Laura Coady, has now revealed her son is responsible for saving the lives of five people after his organs were donated following his death. She wrote on social media that Dylan made the selfless decision by himself earlier this year.
‘Just got amazing news he will be saving five lives tonight,’ Ms Coady wrote on Wednesday.
She added: ‘Dylan came home from school about a month ago, and said that they were talking about organ donation in school and if we didn’t mind... if anything ever happens him, he would like to donate something or anything. This wasn’t us, all him.’
Dylan’s mother also thanked her son’s friends for their ‘amazing tribute’ at St Tola’s National School in Shannon.
She posted an image of a colourful shrine, consisting of handdrawn pictures and flowers.
In a statement, St Tola’s said Dylan had a ‘gorgeous smile’ and a ‘kind heart’.
‘We will always treasure the fond memories we have of Dylan and his time in our school. He will always be a member of our school community,’ the statement read.
Education Minister Norma Foley also extended her sympathy to the tragic youngster’s family and the Shannon community.
‘Dylan was a much-loved and treasured member of his school community and will be greatly missed by his fellow pupils, by the staff, board of management and all who knew him,’ she said.
The minister added: ‘At the school at this sad and difficult time, the wellbeing of the students, staff and whole school community is of paramount importance.
‘NEPS (National Educational Psychological Service) psychologists are engaging with the school and will be available to provide whatever support is required.’
Fr Tom Whelan, co-parish priest in Shannon, spoke of the sense of devastation in the town following the news of Dylan’s death.
‘There is a palpable sadness all around the place and you can just feel the sadness around the place,’ he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
‘The heads are bowed. People cannot believe it. It’s a tragedy beyond tragedies. One of the things they’re telling me is: “We don’t know what to say.” They cannot actually believe it. It’s almost like living in a mirage. They don’t know what to do.’
Meanwhile, nearly €50,000 has been raised on GoFundMe to help the grief-stricken family through their loss. A message on the page, which was set up by a family friend, stated: ‘Although nothing will ease the pain of their loss right now, we acknowledge that we as community may be able to ease the financial side of things somewhat…
‘Anything we can do help them along through this most difficult time we will do, after requesting to set this up for them their main selfless concern was that the air ambulance service would be donated to from this fund also.’
Dylan was described as a passionate sportsman who played for his local football club, Shannon Town United.
The club said members were ‘heartbroken’ by the tragedy.
‘Dylan has been with the club since he was four and was a member of our current under-11 squad,’
‘Palpable sadness around the place’ ‘He was a joy to be around’
it stated. ‘He was a joy to be around and always had a great big smile on his face when he played. On behalf of his team-mates and coaches Pa, Kieran and Jason (who he never paid any attention to), we’re all heartbroken.
‘His infectious smile and energy will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Dylan.’
A man in his 20s was arrested in connection with the collision and has since been released pending further investigations.
Gardaí are appealing to any witnesses to come forward, including road users with camera footage who were travelling in the Purcell Park area between 1.45pm and 2.30pm on Sunday.