Mum dies after freak accident on stairs while holidaying with family
A Queensland mum has died after falling down stairs just days after Christmas.
Helen Arkadieff, 37, from Brisbane, was on holidays in the UK with her family on December 29 when she lost her footing walking up a staircase “landing heavily”, according to her family.
“She had extensive head injuries and was unresponsive,” her family wrote on a website dedicated to her.
“She was rushed to the hospital, spending days in a coma state while the medical staff cared for her. After days of prayer, vigil and medical assessment, unfortunately, there was nothing more the medical staff could do to heal the Helen we all love.”
Born in the UK, she passed away on January 2 leaving behind her husband Murray and two sons Sammy, 5, and Jimmy, 3.
The family has started a website to raise money and share memories of the mother of two.
The Arkadieffs had just moved into a new home and Sammy is due to start school this year.
“The yard is still a construction site, the windows have no blinds, there is minimal furniture, no pictures on the walls etc,” a statement on the website reads.
“We’d love to help not only finish the house for this grieving family but help set up Murray and the boys for the next while so they can function without having to even think about all the things they will need.”
Mr Arkadieff told News Corp his wife was “an adoring mother, adored wife and loved daughter”.
The pair met in 2008 while he was only holiday in Yorkshire and he described it as a “classic love story”.
He added she donated her organs in an “unselfish” final act.
Others paid tribute to the mum on the website set up by her family.
Mrs Arkadieff played rugby at the University of Manchester.
“Helen did everything with a smile,” one of her former teammates wrote.
“That beautiful, dimply smile with twinkly eyes that you have had smiling at you your whole lives.”
Mr Arkadieff is also a beekeeper and supplies honey to Capilano Honey.
Capilano Honey offered its condolences to the family on Facebook.
“We cannot imagine the devastation Murray and their two little boys have to face,” it wrote.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their family during this extremely difficult time.”
The company added it has donated money to the family.
