Irish bar worker, 25, dies in Tenerife suddenly after cancer and Covid diagnosis
Her heartbroken uncle Arturs Kimens said she collapsed at work and underwent treatments in hospital but unfortunately, she couldn't be saved. The Thurles woman had been living in Playa de las Americas, in the south of the island, and working in the popular Irish bar Paddy O'Kelly's.
Her uncle and mother Inese Kimene are currently in Tenerife making arrangements to repatriate her to Ireland. Speaking to the Irish Mirror, Arturs said: "She collapsed at work and they brought her into hospital and she was diagnosed with leukaemia.
"So she got the diagnosis too late. What happened was, they were just trying to do the treatment for her, and it was unsuccessful because her body couldn't take it.
"She had Covid as well and the virus, or whatever it was, spread through her organs and just...she passed away, unfortunately." Artus said her friends in Spain and at home are devastated, as she was "loved by everybody". Samantha Kimene's friends, family and colleagues are devastated following her death.
He continued: "All the people here that I met, that she was working with, they're in absolute devastation. They're devastated that she's gone, they can't believe it.
"And she meant everything to me, I loved her very much and I'm going to miss her." In a post on Facebook, Paddy O'Kelly's wrote: "It's with a heavy heart that our colleague and friend, Sam has sadly passed away.
"She was a valued part of our team and will be deeply missed. A beautiful and kind human with the biggest smile. We're still in shock and heartbroken.
"Please keep her family in your thoughts during this difficult time. Rest in Peace Sam. You will be greatly missed."
An online fundraiser has been set up to help Samantha's family bring her home to Ireland. As of this afternoon, it had reached €15,000 of its €20,000 target.
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