Tragedy as Wigan 25-year-old dies suddenly just weeks after becoming a dad for the first time

Kieran McManus, from Poolstock, was looking forward to moving into his new home with his partner Ruby Markland and their 14-week-old daughter Truly.

The couple had ploughed their savings into their home and had been renovating it since January.

But as they moved Truly’s belongings into the house on Thursday, July 23, Kieran suddenly became unwell and had a seizure.

He was rushed to Wigan Infirmary by ambulance, but had three further seizures and was placed in an induced coma.

Doctors discovered Kieran had an aneurysm and his family and friends stayed at the hospital, sleeping on chairs and even on the floor, while he was treated.

Truly was the first baby allowed on the intensive care unit as she visited her dad.

But sadly Kieran could not be saved and Ruby was at his bedside as his heart stopped beating on Sunday, July 26.

Tragically, that was the day the family had planned to move into their new home.

His organs were donated to save other lives and his friends and hospital staff formed a guard of honour as he was taken to theatre – thought to be the first time this has been done.

Ruby, 24, said: “Those 72 hours were the worst 72 hours of my life, but that was the only thing that gave me a little bit of hope in this tragic, horrendous world – that we know Kieran’s organs have saved somebody else.

"When he was alive he would do anything for anyone, so that was like his final act of kindness.

"It will be a lovely thing to tell our little girl when she is older – a part of her dad is still out there.”

Ruby said Kieran went to A&E four weeks earlier with a headache and a CT scan did not find anything, but she now wonders if it was a warning sign.

Kieran was born in Bury and grew up in Salford, before later moving to Wigan and working for Goose Green-based Cadman Rubbish Removals.

He had been in a relationship with Ruby for six years and “idolised” their daughter Truly when she was born in April.

"I think it was his proudest moment ever when he became a dad,” Ruby said.

The family had been living with Ruby’s mum Laura Heywood, who said Kieran was “like a son” to her, describing him as “a character” and “a grafter”.

Ruby said: “He was the most hard-working person you could ever meet. He was a kind and likeable person, funny, very witty.”

Friend Dione Lowe has set up an online fund-raising appeal to help pay for Kieran’s funeral and support Ruby, who is on maternity leave, and Truly.

Dione said: “I decided to do the fund-raiser because I know Ruby and Kieran absolutely poured all their money into the house. I realised Ruby is going to struggle. Her life has just been turned upside-down. Nobody has money set aside for horrendous circumstances like that.”

Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/kieran-mcmanus.

The family would also be grateful to hear from businesses able to help with the funeral, such as by donating flowers.