Brother of Wicklow woman seriously injured during marathon training dies

The family of a Wicklow woman who sustained life-changing injuries after she was marathon training in Sicily has been struck with tragedy once again following the death of their 17-year-old son.

Hannah Leonard was training for the Dublin Marathon when she was struck by a car on October 6, last year.

The young woman was hit while crossing a pedestrian crossing, and has been in Beaumont Hospital since the beginning of the year while she awaits a place in the National Rehabilitation Hospital.

A GoFundMe was launched following the horrific accident, with Hannah’s father, Kevin, sharing updates on his daughter’s recovery.

In his latest update, Kevin admitted he wasn’t going to do an update following the death of his son Dylan, aged 17, but was then met with a "beautiful sign."

Kevin wrote: "And so tragedy has visited our family again, this time more final. Hannah has tragically lost her younger brother Dylan.

"I wasn’t going to do an update this week, but then we got the most beautiful sign that he has wrapped his guardian angel wings around his sister.

"His last visit with Hannah was this day week ago, and it was magical. Hannah always has the best reactions for her siblings, and last Friday was no different, squeezing Dylan’s hand, moving her body, giving him the most intense eye contact and trying to speak to him but she hasn’t gotten there just yet."

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Hannah Leonard.

Kevin went on to detail the phone call he received from Beaumont Hospital, adding that he is always filled with concern when they call.

Fortunately, the news the family had awaited since January had come — Hannah had been given a place in the National Rehabilitation Hospital, where she will be transferred in the "coming weeks."

"Overcome with emotions, I almost missed the next bit of news, the tracheotomy has been removed," Kevin added, "7 months we’ve been waiting to hear that, her consultant now believing that it will aid in Hannah’s recovery."

The grieving father admitted it was hard to feel joy during such a difficult time, but said the family drew comfort from Dylan acting as his sister’s guardian angel.

"He may not have been able to help her in life, but now he does as her guardian angel," Kevin shared, "He would have been so happy to celebrate these significant milestones."

To follow on Hannah’s journey, or donate to support her recovery, go here.

*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.