26-year-old GAA player from Mayo dies after falling from back of London taxi

A talented GAA player from Mayo died yesterday in a London hospital from injuries received when he fell from the back of a moving taxi.

The family of Pádraig O’Dea (26) from Kilmaine, Ballinrobe, were informed yesterday of his death.

Engineer

The young engineer, who had been in London for a year, sustained serious head injuries at about 1am yesterday after falling from a taxi in Harrow, northwest London.

The taxi driver had travelled only a short distance when he saw that his rear tailgate was open and a man was rolling behind the vehicle.

Scotland Yard has appealed for witnesses to come forward. “We know that this man was with a group of what appeared to be friends or colleagues moments before he was injured,” Det Sgt Chris Osborne said yesterday.

“He has now died and I would urge anyone with information to come forward so that we can establish the precise events which led to his death.”

Gentleman

News of Mr O’Dea’s death has caused deep shock in his native Kilmaine, where he was regarded as one of the local GAA club’s best players. He was forced to emigrate due to a lack of job opportunities.

A tribute to the player, posted on the Kilmaine GAA website, read: “Pádraig O’Dea – heart of a lion on the field and a gentleman off it.”