'Lovely' mum died in front of her children during 'traumatic' flight back home
08.08.2022 - 19:47
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A “one of a kind” mum died suddenly while flying back to the UK after spending 15 years living in Hong Kong. A few hours into the flight, Helen Rhodes was found unresponsive and couldn't be resuscitated after passing away in her sleep.
The family of the midwife were left "traumatised" as they were left broken sat next to their mum in a “breathless sleep”, The Mirror reports. A friend of the family explained that this was the case for the remaining eight hours of the flight until they landed in Frankfurt on August 5.
Helen was travelling with her family as part of a "new adventure" which she never got to experience.
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Though it was an "extremely traumatising" experience, the "devastated" family had the opportunity to say their last goodbyes while sitting beside her. When they arrived Helen's body stayed in the German city while her husband and kids continued on to the UK, leaving behind the "glue that held the family together".
Jayne Jeje, who set up a fundraiser to help the grieving family, explained how Helen was feeling before her final flight.
She said: "Helen and her family wrapped up a life in Hong Kong of over 15 years to embark on a new chapter living back home in the UK. Helen was excited and nervous about the move, but looked forward to seeing her family back home, as she had not seen her family or ageing parents since the pandemic began.
"Sadly, she never got to see them again. Helen was one of a kind, a gem.
“She was a midwife by profession, and was always willing to lend a helping hand or advice to anyone who needed it. Helen loved to talk and made friends easily."
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