A new-born baby who died a day after his mum was found dead on her hospital room floor will be buried in her arms.
Marie Downey, from Co Cork, lost her life after suffering an apparent epileptic fit while breastfeeding her son Darragh at Cork University Maternity Hospital in what is being described as an “unimaginable tragedy.”
Read More: Mother and four-day-old infant die in Irish hospital after "tragic occurrence"
Downey, 36, gave birth to her son on Saturday but was found dead on the floor of her single room at the hospital on Monday morning.
Marie Downey, from Co Cork, lost her life after suffering an apparent epileptic fit while breastfeeding her son Darragh at Cork University Maternity Hospital. Image: Facebook
Darragh was found underneath his mother and despite the best efforts of staff to save him, he passed away at the hospital on Tuesday evening.
It is believed that Downey, who suffered from epilepsy, had a seizure while breastfeeding on Monday morning
She fell from the bed and the baby went underneath her.
Read more: Mother-of-three to be laid to rest in wedding dress she never got to wear
The mum had been checked on by medical staff at 7 am and was said to be doing well. However, when doctors returned an hour later they found mother and baby on the floor.
They attempted to revive her but she was pronounced dead. Baby Darragh was in a critical condition and subsequently died on Tuesday evening.
A newborn baby boy, who was found underneath his mother's body on the floor of her room in Cork University Maternity Hospital, has died. @PaschalSheehy reports | https://t.co/98wdTaSj4l pic.twitter.com/qPX2rAqdFn
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 27, 2019
The death is being treated as a "tragic occurrence" and a full medical investigation was immediately initiated by the South/South West Hospital Group.
A post mortem was carried out on the late mother of three at CUH on yesterday.
A post mortem is being carried out today on baby Darragh at the hospital.
Downey lived in Kildorrery, North Co Cork, on the Cork-Limerick border, with husband Kieran and their two young boys. She was the only child in a family from Ballyagran, Co Limerick.
She worked as a laboratory technician at the global pharmaceutical firm Novartis, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork and in a statement, they described Downey as a “valued” employee.
They added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Marie’s family and friends during this difficult time. Marie will be fondly remembered here at Novartis.”
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