Baby dies after being found under mum's body in breastfeeding tragedy


A mother has tragically died after falling out of her hospital bed while breastfeeding her four-day-old son who was also killed.

Marie Downey was in the Cork University Maternity Hospital (CMUH) in Ireland when it is believed she suffered a seizure and fell out of bed on Monday.

She was later found on top of her newborn, Darragh, who died on Tuesday evening, the Irish Times reported.

It is believed the 36-year-old mother of three suffered from epilepsy and the hospital is launching an investigation to confirm whether she fell out of her bed due to having a seizure.

Irish mother Marie Downey died after falling out of bed while breastfeeding her baby on Monday. Source: Facebook/Mahon Community Centre
Irish mother Marie Downey died after falling out of bed while breastfeeding her baby on Monday. Source: Facebook/Mahon Community Centre

A family friend told the Irish Mirror the deaths were “unbelievable”.

“She was a gorgeous girl. She had a heart of gold, she was very caring,” the friend said.

Ms Downey’s parents were “trying to come to terms” with the tragedy and the friend said they were “fantastic people”.

Both the mother and child will undergo post-mortems at Cork University Hospital.

The South/South West Hospital Group told the BBC in a statement the mother died on Monday before the baby on Tuesday.

Cork University Hospital is launching an investigation into the deaths. Source: Google Maps, file
Cork University Hospital is launching an investigation into the deaths. Source: Google Maps, file

“As with all unexplained deaths, a full medical investigation was immediately initiated,” the statement said.

“CUMH wishes to express its deepest sympathy with the family of the mother and her baby. The priority now for the hospital is the wellbeing of their family.”

Yahoo7 News has contacted the South/South West Hospital Group for comment.

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