The Bray community is celebrating an extraordinary milestone for Hannah Leonard, who is finally returning to her family home nearly two years after suffering catastrophic brain injuries when she was struck by a car while running in Sicily.
Hannah, now 24, was completing a training run for the Dublin Marathon on October 6, 2024, when she was hit by a vehicle. The impact caused devastating head injuries and left her fighting for her life.
After months of treatment in Italy followed by further rehabilitation in Ireland, Hannah’s family has now reached a moment they had spent almost two years hoping for: bringing her home.
Importantly, Hannah has not died. A previous online headline incorrectly described her as having died in a fatal crash. Current information shows that she survived the accident and continues her recovery.
What Happened to Hannah Leonard?
Hannah was in Sicily in 2024 when she was struck by a car during a long-distance training run for the Dublin Marathon.
She suffered severe traumatic brain injuries in the collision and required emergency neurosurgery. Doctors removed a substantial section of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain and save her life.
Her condition was initially extremely serious, with her family being warned on more than one occasion that she might not survive.
Despite those fears, Hannah continued to fight.
Her recovery became a story of resilience as she underwent multiple procedures and spent months receiving intensive medical care.
Hannah’s Long Road Back to Ireland
Hannah spent months in hospital in Sicily before she was eventually brought back to Ireland by air ambulance.
She was initially treated at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin before continuing her rehabilitation at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire.
The transition back to Ireland was an important step, but it was not the end of her recovery.
Her family continued to face the practical and emotional challenges associated with Hannah’s severe injuries and long-term rehabilitation.
Her father, Kevin, has remained closely involved throughout the journey and has repeatedly spoken about his daughter’s determination.
A Recovery That Defied Expectations
The severity of Hannah’s original injuries made her recovery particularly remarkable.
During the earliest stages of her treatment, her family was warned that she might not survive. Yet over time, Hannah began showing signs of progress that gave her loved ones renewed hope.
Her rehabilitation has involved extensive medical care, procedures and support.
The journey has also required her family to adapt their expectations. Rather than focusing only on returning to life as it was before the accident, the priority became helping Hannah achieve the greatest possible recovery and creating an environment where she could continue that process safely.
Preparing the Family Home
Returning to Bray required much more than simply arranging transportation from the rehabilitation hospital.
Hannah’s home needed significant adaptations so that she could live safely with the level of care and accessibility required following her injuries.
The downstairs area was redesigned to include an accessible bedroom and a fully equipped wet room. Additional space was also required for medical equipment and supplies.
A larger living area was created so Hannah could be at the centre of family life rather than being separated from everyone because of the practical demands of her care.
That work eventually became part of the DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland project, which brought tradespeople and volunteers together to transform the family home.
Bray Community Comes Together
The home renovation became a major community effort, with volunteers and local businesses contributing their time and skills.
The project was designed around one goal: giving Hannah the opportunity to return home and continue her recovery surrounded by her family.
The scale of the work reflected how much had changed since the 2024 accident.
For the Leonard family, however, the renovation represented something much more personal than a construction project.
It meant turning the family home into a place where Hannah could receive the care she needs while remaining part of everyday family life.
Hannah’s Father Kevin on Her Recovery
Kevin Leonard has remained one of the most visible voices throughout Hannah’s recovery.
He has spoken about the fear surrounding the original accident, the difficult medical decisions that followed and the extraordinary determination his daughter has shown.
The family has also expressed deep gratitude to the medical teams in Sicily and Ireland, as well as to the many people who supported them financially and emotionally.
A major fundraising campaign helped cover medical and related expenses during the long recovery.
The support demonstrated how deeply Hannah’s story had resonated with people well beyond Bray.
More Than a Medical Recovery
Before the accident, Hannah was known for much more than running.
She studied law at Dublin City University and was described by her family as ambitious and determined. She also worked as a sailing instructor and volunteered with SpunOut, including on its crisis text service supporting young people.
Those parts of her life help explain why so many people have followed her recovery with such interest.
Hannah’s journey has been about rebuilding a life after an injury that could have ended it.
A Family That Has Endured Extraordinary Loss
The Leonard family has faced another devastating tragedy during Hannah’s recovery.
In June 2025, Hannah’s younger brother Dylan died suddenly at the age of 17.
His death added another layer of grief to an already extraordinarily difficult period for the family.
Kevin later described the emotional significance of Dylan’s final visit with Hannah and the response she gave him.
The family has continued to carry both Hannah’s recovery and Dylan’s memory through an exceptionally difficult period.
Hannah Leonard’s Return Home
For almost two years, the idea of Hannah returning home was a goal rather than a certainty.
Now, with the necessary home adaptations completed and medical equipment in place, that goal is finally becoming reality.
Her return does not mean that her rehabilitation is finished.
Instead, it represents the beginning of another chapter in which Hannah can continue her recovery in familiar surroundings, with her family nearby.
For Kevin and the rest of the Leonard family, the significance of that moment is difficult to overstate.
After the fear of losing Hannah, months in hospitals and an extraordinarily long rehabilitation journey, having her back in the family home is a milestone worth celebrating.
Hannah Leonard Accident Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Hannah Leonard |
| Age | 24 |
| Hometown | Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland |
| Accident location | Sicily, Italy |
| Accident date | October 6, 2024 |
| What happened | Struck by a car while training for the Dublin Marathon |
| Injuries | Catastrophic/severe brain injuries |
| Emergency treatment | Life-saving brain surgery in Sicily |
| Later treatment | Beaumont Hospital and National Rehabilitation Hospital, Ireland |
| Father | Kevin Leonard |
| Mother | Vanessa Leonard |
| Sibling | Dylan Leonard, who died in June 2025, aged 17 |
| Education | Dublin City University, Law |
| Other work/interests | Sailing instructor; youth mental-health volunteer |
| Current status | Alive and returning home to Bray |
| Homecoming | Enabled by extensive home adaptations and rehabilitation |
| Funeral arrangements | Not applicable |
Latest Update
Hannah Leonard is alive and returning home to Bray after almost two years of medical treatment and rehabilitation following her devastating 2024 accident in Sicily.
The family’s home has been extensively adapted to accommodate Hannah’s needs, with an accessible downstairs living environment and the medical equipment required for her ongoing care.
Her homecoming represents a major milestone, but her recovery continues.
The focus now is on allowing Hannah to continue making progress while surrounded by the people who have supported her throughout the most difficult chapter of her life.
Hannah Leonard’s Story of Survival
Hannah’s journey began with a devastating accident that left her fighting for her life thousands of kilometres from home.
Almost two years later, she is preparing to cross the threshold of her family home in Bray.
The journey has included emergency surgery, months of hospital treatment, rehabilitation, setbacks, family tragedy and countless moments of uncertainty.
Yet Hannah survived.
Her return home is therefore more than a change of address. For her family and the wider Bray community, it represents hope, resilience and another significant step forward.
The accident changed Hannah’s life, but it did not end her story.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes and reflects the latest publicly reported information available at the time of publication. Hannah Leonard’s recovery remains ongoing, and medical circumstances can change. Details concerning her treatment, rehabilitation and homecoming should be understood in that context. Her family deserves privacy and respect as Hannah continues her recovery and begins this important new chapter at home. There is no obituary because she is alive and well.