Heartbreak as son dies in bike accident three years after dad

 A LOCAL family is grieving the heartbreaking loss of a beloved son and brother in a motorbike accident, just three years after his dad also died in a motorbike tragedy.

Brian Anderson (41) from Ardattin, Carlow lost his brave battle for life at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin six days after an motocross accident at a track in Calverstown, Co Kildare. Brian passed away peacefully surrounded by his devastated family, mother Judy and sister Laura, who are still reeling from the loss of their husband and father Willie (66) in a horrific road collision in October 2020.

“He was just one of those people with a kind, beautiful soul – so mannerly, never a cross word with anyone,” said Brian’s sister Laura.

“Brian never really got over Daddy’s death. This is so, so difficult so soon after Daddy – our whole lives have changed,” she added sadly.

Like his late father, Brian had a huge passion for motorcycles. He grew up around motorcycles, beginning with 80cc bikes and moving up to 450cc as his skills developed. His enthusiasm for the sport of motocross brought Brian immense joy and also led to lifelong friendships right across the country.

On Wednesday 26 June, Brian was on a championship practice track in Calverstown, Co Kildare when he suffered a “minor fall”. However, the fall led to an injury in his neck, which prompted a catastrophic stroke.

Brian was taken by ambulance to Tallaght Hospital and later to the ICU at Beaumont Hospital, but the extremely rare medical emergency he suffered tragically led to a deterioration in his condition over subsequent days.

“He underwent lifesaving emergency surgery on the Friday but unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the medical team, he didn’t improve. They did absolutely everything – they were exceptional. They looked after him like he was their own brother,” said Laura.

“Despite everything, sadly the machine had to be turned off on Tuesday and Brian passed away very peacefully with myself and Mammy with him,” she added.

Brian was his mother Judy’s full-time carer. The love and devotion he had for his mother was a testament to the wonderful man he was, his kind and caring nature a huge comfort to Judy.

“He did everything for her, he looked after her. They were so close,” said Laura.

A past pupil of St Columba’s NS and Tullow Community School, Brian discovered his extraordinary artistic talents when he was a teenager. He studied at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) and was well-known for his stunning art.

“It is a comfort to know that his art brought so much joy to people. He will be remembered forever on people’s walls,” reflected Laura.

A huge number of people from right across the country attended Halligan’s Funeral Home, Rathvilly on Sunday to pay their respects to Brian, where they also had the opportunity to donate to the Injured Riders Fund. On social media over the past week, thousands of messages reflected just how highly Brian was thought of, his exceptional talent, his kind, considerate nature, a true gentleman with a wonderfully warm smile, now reunited with his beloved dad.

A private cremation was held yesterday (Monday).

Brian is survived by his broken-hearted mother Judy, sister Laura, nieces Hollie and Farah, nephew Dylan, grandfather Tommy, aunts, uncles, neighbours and many biking friends.