Mom of 4 Dies Days After Horse Carriage Crash Killed Her Husband and 3-Year-Old Daughter

A devastating road collision has claimed its third victim following the death of Rita Connors, a mother of four who succumbed to injuries sustained when a dump truck struck her family’s horse-drawn carriage.

The April 1 crash had already claimed the lives of her husband, Francie Connors, and their 3-year-old daughter, Ka.

Kent Police confirmed that Rita Connors passed away on Thursday, April 9, after remaining in critical condition for over a week. The incident occurred at approximately 6:25 p.m. local time when a white dump truck collided with the family’s carriage. Francie Connors and the horse were pronounced dead at the scene, while the couple’s young daughter died later that evening at a nearby hospital.

Authorities arrested a 29-year-old male driver on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and operating a vehicle while unfit. While the suspect has since been released on bail, the investigation remains active. Detectives are currently seeking witnesses and dashcam footage to reconstruct the moments leading up to the impact.

The “driving whilst unfit” designation suggests investigators are scrutinizing potential impairment as a primary factor in the fatal crash.

The tragedy has garnered significant attention due to the family’s connection to television personality Paddy Doherty. Doherty, a star of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, confirmed his cousin’s death on social media, revealing that Rita’s life support was withdrawn on Thursday.

“God bless them all,” Doherty stated in a video tribute, describing the loss as an unimaginable blow. He noted that the couple leaves behind three surviving sons, the eldest of whom is 11 years old.

Public tributes have poured in for the Connors family as the community grapples with the scale of the loss. Police officials continue to urge anyone with information regarding the white dump truck’s movements on the evening of April 1 to contact Kent Police immediately.