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Africa experience ends in tragedy for ‘golden girl’

by Victoria Morley
21/ 5/2008

TRIBUTES have been paid to a Heaton Moor girl who died in her boyfriend’s arms, following a car crash in Africa.

Helen O’Connell, 25, was in a taxi with her boyfriend Kentaro Taguchi, 27, in the West African country of Benin, when the car was involved in a smash on May 10.

Helen was taken to a small local hospital, and discharged by medical staff, but an American missionary thought she should be examined again. She set off for a larger hospital, but tragically died in the back of the car.

Charity worker Helen, a former Aquinas College student, had been working as an unpaid English teacher in a Ghana school since last October.  She previously worked in Japan and had been planning to return to England on June 14, to settle down with Kentaro and start a family. They had even picked a name for their first baby.

The official cause of death has not yet been revealed, but it is thought she died from internal injuries suffered in the road crash. Her death has come as a devastating blow to friends and family.

Helen’s mum, Jude Cox, 55, a teacher, last heard her daughter’s voice in a message left on an answering machine at the family home just an hour before she died. In the message Helen said: ‘Oh mum, I’ve missed you, will see you soon.’

So far, 292 messages have been left on a Facebook page set up in Helen’s memory from people all over the world, including one from her father Michael.

It reads: ‘Your too short life was spent giving and caring for others. Each day I could burst with pride for both you and Sal, and to read these notes of love from so many friends proves what wonderful girls I have. Every letter of every word from each of your incredible friends has brought a tear. And the photos - that smile of yours that could melt any heart.’

Another read: ‘One of life’s goodens. May the strength and magic she showed in her life have rubbed off. Good night God bless Helen... and in her words ‘friends forever where ever we are’.’

Helen's mum said she has been touched by the many tributes paid to her daughter.
"I think it’s a wonderful thing that people can do this," she said. "Helen was a beautiful person and a very clever girl. She was the golden girl who lived the golden life."

Helen’s twin sister, Sally wrote that Helen had lived an amazing life and had been ‘living her dream’ in Africa. ‘She was an extraordinary, loving, caring person and she was my twin sister and my best friend. I’ll love her forever.’

Vice Principal of Aquinas, Eddie Moore paid tribute to the excellent student who he described as a ‘lovely lass with a beautiful spirit.  We were stunned and saddened to learn of Helen’s tragic death and our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to Sally and the rest of the family.  Words are totally inadequate to express our sadness and it must be unimaginably difficult for Helen’s family. We will remember them in our prayers.’

Sue Conroy, Helen’s economics teacher at Aquinas and Phil Parker, who taught Helen English, remember her with great fondness, said Mr Moore. Condolences were also sent from her former high school, St Anne’s, in Heaton Chapel where she was described as a ‘beautiful girl’.

Helen also leaves a younger sister Alice and brother Patrick Santos.

Her body is expected to be flown back next week, when it will be examined by a coroner before her funeral can take place.

Funeral arrangements have not been finalised but the family ask that anyone wishing to make a donation or send flowers contact George Ball & Sons Funeral Directors on 432 2131 or by visiting www.georgeball.co.uk