A tragedy.
Ailish Sheehan has died following a fall in Poznan, Poland at the World University Championships, reports the Irish Times.
The 23-year-old suffered serious head injuries following a fall from a footpath, hours after winning bronze at the event alongside her teammates Rebecca Edwards, Annie Withers and Gillian Cooper.
Irish rower Ailish Sheehan in critical condition after freak fall in Poland https://t.co/nrnb7DTx0D
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 7, 2016
Sheehan, who was from Kildimo in Limerick, was representing Great Britain at the event, and had been studying for a masters degree in Design and Environment at the University of London.
She had been in a critical condition since the fall on Sunday evening, and had her life support turned off with her family by her bedside.
Lee Boucher, the British team manager in Poznan, released a statement on Friday afternoon:
“It is with great sadness that I have to report that within the last hour our teammate Ailish has passed away in hospital in Poznan surrounded by her family. Our thoughts at this time are with all of her family and friends.
“Like her performances on the water, Ailish gave everything right until the very end but unfortunately she was unable to win this battle. Ailish’s family take comfort in knowing that she didn’t suffer and that she was happy in her final moments.”
