A 35-year-old English woman, Jessie Lawrence, tragically died from severe head injuries after falling down the stairs while on holiday with her family in Co Mayo. The accident occurred when she got out of bed to check on one of her crying children during the night.
Jessie lived in Stratford-upon-Avon and was staying at an Airbnb guest accommodation in Cong with her partner, Graeme Toney, and their two daughters, Orlagh (4) and Rhonagh (6).
At the inquest, Garda Pat Coen reported that Jessie was taken to Mayo University Hospital after the fall but sadly passed away in the intensive care unit on August 18, a few days after the accident. According to Graeme Toney, he heard their child crying, followed by a shout and the sound of a fall down the stairs. Jessie was found at the bottom of the staircase.
Dr. Tamas Nemeth, who examined Jessie, said the cause of death was brain herniation due to traumatic brain injuries from the fall. Graeme Toney confirmed in his statement to the police that he heard the fall after one of their daughters began crying.
What Happened to Jessie Lawrence?
Jessie Lawrence, a 35-year-old woman from Stratford-on-Avon, tragically died after suffering a fatal fall down the stairs at a holiday rental in Cong, Co Mayo. The incident occurred when she got out of bed to check on one of her crying children during a family vacation in August.
Jessie and her partner, Graeme (Jimmy) Toney, stayed in the rental with their two daughters, Orlagh, aged 4, and Rhonagh, aged 6. After the fall, Jessie was rushed to Mayo University Hospital (MUH), where she remained in intensive care. Sadly, she passed away on August 18, a few days after the accident.
What Were the Circumstances of the Accident?
At an inquest into Jessie’s death, Garda Pat Coen provided details of the night the tragic event occurred. Graeme Toney told Garda Coen that he heard one of their children crying in the night, followed by a shout and the sound of “a tumble” down the stairs. He then found Jessie at the bottom of the stairs, bleeding from her head. Graeme immediately called emergency services by dialing 999.
Garda Coen confirmed that Jessie sustained fatal head injuries during the fall, which caused brain herniation, as determined by Dr. Tamas Nemeth, who conducted the postmortem examination.
Was There Foul Play Involved?
Following Jessie’s death, the Gardaí conducted a thorough investigation of the property where the fall occurred. Their examination found no evidence of foul play or third-party involvement, confirming the death was an unfortunate accident.
What Did Jessie’s Family Decide After Her Death?
After Jessie’s passing, her family made the noble decision to donate her organs, including her liver and kidneys, potentially saving the lives of others. The coroner for the district of Mayo, Pat O’Connor, praised the family’s generosity, calling the donation “one of the most noble things a family can agree to do.”
The coroner also acknowledged the immense worry and trauma Jessie’s partner, children, and extended family must be going through after this devastating loss.