Young Irish show jumper dies

4 July 2002

The young Irish show jumper Hazel O’Callaghan has died in hospital following an accident in Co Kildare

The young Irish show jumper, Hazel O’Callaghan died yesterday, Wednesday 3 Julyafter spending two weeks on a life support machine at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.

Twenty-two year old Hazel sustained serious head injuries following an accident at her partner Cain O’Conner’s yard, Coperalley Stud, in Maynooth, Co Kildare on Wednesday 19 June.

While unloading a horse from the lorry, Hazel slipped off the lorry’s ramp and sustained a serious head injury. She was immediately rushed to the James Connolly Memorial Hospital at Blanchardstown, Dublin.

Hazel was then transferred to the neurological section of the city’s Beaumont Hospital where she underwent surgery.

The chairman of the Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI) expressed his deep sorrow at the deathof Hazel O’Callaghan, daughter of property developer, Owen O’Callaghan.

Speaking from the RDS Horse Show qualifiers in Cork, Tony Hurley said: “I am greatly saddened by the untimely death in such tragic circumstances of Hazel.“Ihad known her since childhood and she was an extremely popular person. Her passing has cast a cloud over the association and all involved in horses countrywide are stunned. On behalf of the association, I would like to extend my sympathy to Hazel’s family.”

Avril Doyle, President of the Equestrian Federations expressed her deepest sympathy saying: “On behalf of the directors, I would like to extend mysincerest sympathy to Owen and Shelagh O’Callaghan and their family ontheir tragic loss.”

“Hazel’s death has affected the whole of the equestriancommunity in Ireland. During the last two weeks we had all had been prayingfor a positive outcome to the situation, but sadly, this was not to be. Allour thoughtsare with the O’Callaghans at this time.“

Hazel O’Callaghan was an accomplished rider and competed successfully at the Kerrygold Horse Show and Millstreet. Mr O’Callaghan, her father is a long-standing member of the SJAI. Her funeral will take place in Cork on Saturday 6 July.

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