- Dargan died in motorbike accident on Christmas Eve
- Was holidaying with family in Cook Islands at the time
- Family later made plea for help with GoFundMe post
Police in the Cook Islands have labelled the motorbike crash that killed Troy Dargan ‘an alcohol and speed-related incident’ after the NRL star’s death on Christmas Eve.
The 26-year-old was on Christmas holidays with family in the South Pacific nation when tragedy struck.
Local police officers said Dargan wasn’t wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, which occurred after the former Souths, Manly and Canberra player headed back to his accommodation after a night out with family, News Corp reported.
‘The 26-year-old was found unresponsive on the road where he had crashed into fencing by the Aitutaki Airport,’ a Cook Islands police statement read.
Dargan – who played two NRL games for Souths (pictured) – died while on holiday with his family in the Cook Islands on Christmas Eve
Police believe speed and alcohol were factors in the accident, and Dargan (pictured) wasn’t wearing a helmet at the time
‘Unfortunately, Police are classifying the fatality as an alcohol and speed-related incident.
‘The deceased was not wearing a helmet and sustained a severe head trauma and other injuries.’
The news comes soon after Dargan’s family used a GoFundMe post to plead for help bringing his body home to Sydney.
‘Dearest Family, Friends & Fans of Troy “Tj” Dargan. On behalf of my beloved Sister in Law Wendy and her husband Troy Dargan it pains me so deeply to write this,’ the post reads.
‘Our Family is trying to bring his body back to Sydney, Australia. With him passing just before Christmas and the suddenness of it all, I am trying to help ease the financial costs in any way that I can and kindly ask people to donate to this cause.
NRL clubs including the Broncos, Rabbitohs, Manly and Canberra paid tribute to Dargan after his tragic death
The 26-year-old signed a contract to play for Canberra shortly before he passed away
‘Due to the timing of it all, the expenses are far greater than we could’ve imagined.
‘He was the most loving, caring son, brother, cousin, nephew and friend you could have asked for.
‘TJ never gave up even when it got hard. He pushed himself to all limits and that’s what made him so incredible.
‘There are no words that will ever be able to express how deeply hurt we all are as a family and it is truly one of the most devastating things anyone of us could go through right now.’
Dargan’s family called him ‘the most loving, caring son, brother, cousin, nephew and friend you could have asked for’ in a GoFundMe post
The posts concludes by noting that any excess funds raised will go towards Dargan’s funeral.
At the time of writing, the post had raised $61,150 after setting a target of $25,000.
Dargan played two NRL matches for the Rabbitohs in 2020 and also represented the Cook Islands twice in 2019.
The former Australian Schoolboys playmaker started his career with Parramatta before he moved to the Broncos, where he spent two seasons in the Queensland Cup before he joined Souths.
Dargan was in the Sea Eagles system in 2023 and played six matches for Blacktown Workers.
He signed on to join Canberra for the 2024 season in November.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk