Police disclose the reason behind the tragic Christmas accident that claimed the life of Troy Dargan.
Cook Islands police have characterized the motorbike collision that resulted in the death of Troy Dargan as an ‘alcohol and speed-related incident’ following the NRL star’s demise on Christmas Eve. The 26-year-old was spending the Christmas holidays with his family in the South Pacific nation when the tragic incident occurred.
According to local law enforcement, Dargan was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, which happened as the former Souths, Manly, and Canberra players were returning to their accommodation after a night out with family, as reported by News Corp.
A statement from Cook Islands police reported that the 26-year-old was discovered in an unresponsive state on the road, having collided with fencing near the Aitutaki Airport.
Regrettably, the police have officially categorized the fatality as an incident related to alcohol and speed. The individual who passed away was not wearing a helmet and suffered severe head trauma and other injuries.
This revelation follows closely after Dargan’s family made a plea for assistance in bringing his body back to Sydney through a GoFundMe post.
“My dearest family, friends, and fans of Troy ‘Tj’ Dargan, it is with profound sadness that I write this on behalf of my beloved sister-in-law Wendy and her husband Troy Dargan.
Our family is currently working to bring his body back to Sydney, Australia. Given the untimely passing just before Christmas and the suddenness of it all, I am reaching out to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with this process. I kindly request that people contribute to this cause and help in any way possible.”
Due to the timing of this tragic event, the associated expenses have proven to be much higher than we could have anticipated.
TJ, our beloved son, brother, cousin, nephew, and friend, was the epitome of love and care. He faced challenges with unwavering determination and pushed himself to extraordinary limits, making him truly remarkable.
The pain our family is experiencing is indescribable, and there are no words that can adequately convey the depth of our sorrow. This loss is one of the most devastating experiences any of us could endure at this time.
The post concludes by mentioning that any surplus funds raised will be allocated towards Dargan’s funeral expenses. As of the current update, the post has amassed $61,150, surpassing its initial target of $25,000.
Troy Dargan, who played two NRL matches for the Rabbitohs in 2020 and represented the Cook Islands twice in 2019, began his career with Parramatta. He later moved to the Broncos, spent two seasons in the Queensland Cup, and then joined the Souths. In 2023, he was part of the Sea Eagles system, playing six matches for Blacktown Workers. Dargan had signed on to join Canberra for the 2024 season in November.
