UTV News - Boxer death 'parent's worst nightmare'

Subscribe to the News Feed Newsback to News

Boxer death 'parent's worst nightmare'

Text Size:  A  A |  POST A COMMENT |  PRINT |  SHARE 
The family of a young boxer from west Belfast who died suddenly after a training session has described his death as "every parent's worst nightmare".
Video available to UK viewers only.
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.

Gary Craig, 25, died suddenly in his bed on Wednesday night. He was watching a DVD with his fiancee when he had a seizure.

Gary's Fiancee, Deborah Herdman phoned an ambulance immediately after he collapsed and a Cardiac team tried to revive him for over an hour.

"They were working on him, but they knew he was already gone," the grieving family told UTV.

They said he had been training in the evening as he was due to go to England on Thursday to take part in a Boxing tournament.

They believe he was the victim of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS), which refers to the sudden death of an apparently fit and healthy young person.

Other local high profile victims have included Tyrone GAA star Cormac McAnallen and upcoming rugby player John McColl.

Gary's aunt, Cecilia Caldwell told UTV: "He was talking to his dad 10 minutes before making flight arrangements for the next day. We understand once he collapsed, he just died immediately. He just went in an instant, a split second."

The father-of-three was due to get married next year and his family said Gary was "a wonderful guy who lived life to the full".

"Because Gary was super fit and so young we can't believe that it has happened, it is every parent's worst nightmare," said his uncle, George Craig.

Gary had just resumed his boxing career after a five-year break and was also a keen Gaelic and Football player.

He leaves behind three children aged five, three, and one.

Gary Craig, 25, died just days after resuming his boxing career

© UTV News

Send to a friend

Email To
Your Name
Comment
Close
Comments
0 Comments
Be the first to comment
Post a comment
Name:
Email Address:
Location:
Your Comment:
Verification Code: Captcha Code  Get New Code
POST COMMENT
[Before posting, please take a moment to familiarise yourself with our house rules. All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Any information you enter, including email and web addresses, will be displayed on our site if passed by our moderators.]