Tributes pour in for ‘beautiful’ mum, 23, who was killed by train

A woman who was killed after being hit by a train last week has been named as a young and ‘beautiful’ mum by her heartbroken family.

Kiena Dawes, twenty-three, was hit by a train near Garstang on the Preston to Lancaster line on Friday afternoon (July 22nd). Emergency services were called out to the scene, where she was tragically pronounced dead.

Kiena, who worked as a hairdresser in Fleetwood, leaves behind her nine-month-old daughter Marnie Blu Dawes. 

Her brother Kynan Dawes told Lancashire Live that his sister ‘was in such a bad place in her head’ and ‘took the decision to end what was an awful battle in her life’.

GoFundMe

He has also pledged to give up his job as a builder to take care of his niece, promising to be there for her ‘through thick and thin’.

A GoFundMe has since been set up by family friend Matthew Sanderson to support Kynan and Marnie, as well as to pay towards Kiena’s funeral costs.

On the fundraiser’s page, Matthew explained that Kiena had been a victim of domestic abuse and violence, something that ‘severely impacted her mental health’. 

His statement continued: “This has effectively led to her suicide and left little Marnie Blu parentless at such a young age.

Kynan Dawes / Facebook

“As we all know, mental illness and young suicide continues to rise in the uk, it’s just such a shame when the victims leave their young loved ones behind. We urge anyone who feels this way to talk to someone or seek help.

“Marnie is now being cared for by her uncle Kynan. Kynan has promised to be there for Marnie through thick and thin as he struggles to deal with the loss of his sister in such tragic circumstances. 

“We are asking people not to let Kynan struggle alone. Please support Kynan so he can get a deposit to rent a house, buy some essentials for Marnie and pay towards his sisters funeral.”

Any excess funds will be put into a trust fund for Marnie for when she turns eighteen.

GoFundMe

Responding to the GoFundMe appeal, an emotional Kynan wrote: “This is absolutely amazing my family and little Marnie appreciate this so much. My gorgeous niece who now has no mum to grow up with will 100% appreciate what your all doing.

“I still can’t believe your gone Kiena. But I will make sure I look after Marnie and she will grow up to be the most perfect little girl. Just as you would have wanted. RIP BEAUTIFUL.”

The fundraiser has already raised over £9,600 of its £2,500 goal. You can donate here.

If you’re struggling with mental health issues, there are people out there you can talk to.

For confidential support the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123. You can also email the Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org, write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA or visit www.samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.

Andys Man Club is a men’s mental health organisation running free-to-attend talking groups for men, ‘challenging the stigmas around male mental health’. They have meetings across the country, including here in Manchester.

You can also contact the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) at 0800 58 58 58 or via their website here.

Alternatively, you can find more mental health services around Greater Manchester on the NHS Foundation Trust website.