A Missouri woman has died after a freak accident at a rock festival left her with a devastating brain injury.
Danielle Uskiwich, 28, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, just 10 days after she was reportedly kicked in the head by a crowdsurfer during Pointfest in Maryland Heights, Missouri.
Her family said the accident happened on May 16 while she was watching the band Sleep Theory perform at the annual rock festival.
“It is with absolutely shattered hearts that we share that our beautiful Danielle passed away on May 26th at 1:54 PM,” her cousins wrote on a GoFundMe page.
At first, Danielle reportedly did not realize how serious the injury was. But three days after the concert, she went to the hospital with a severe headache.
Doctors discovered a brain bleed, which her family said they believe developed after she was struck in the head at the festival.
From there, the situation became a medical nightmare.
During her hospitalization, Danielle suffered two strokes and underwent emergency surgery. Her family said doctors removed six pints of blood and repaired several blood clots.
Doctors also discovered an underlying condition that may have gone unnoticed if not for the brain bleed, though her family has not publicly shared what the condition was.
Danielle was later placed in a medically induced coma to reduce brain swelling and give her body a chance to recover after surgery.
Sadly, she did not survive.
Even in the middle of unimaginable grief, Danielle’s family honored her decision to become an organ donor.
“Even through unimaginable grief, Danielle’s immediate family made the incredibly selfless decision to honor her giving spirit through organ donation so that others may have a second chance at life,” her family wrote.
After her death, Danielle was honored with an emotional honor walk through the hospital. Family, friends and hospital staff lined the halls before she was transported to Mid-America Transplant in St. Louis.
Danielle worked as an attendance secretary at St. Charles High School, located only about six miles from the concert venue.
She was also engaged to her fiancé, Jason. The couple had been planning to get married next April.
Just days before Danielle died, Jason shared a hopeful message as she fought for her life.
“We have a long road ahead of us, but we’re going to get there!” he wrote on May 23. “There’s no one tougher in the world to get through this. I love you so many!! You have 11 months to get ready for the aisle, baybos!”
Her family described Danielle as someone who was loved by many, with a kind heart, a bright smile and a spirit that could light up any room.
They said she had a way of making people feel seen and loved.
Danielle was also a lifelong St. Louis Blues fan, with TJ Oshie as her favorite player. She loved music, traveling and spending time with the people closest to her.
Pointfest is an annual rock festival hosted by local alternative rock station 105.1 The Point at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, about 22 miles from downtown St. Louis.
This year’s lineup included Staind, Blue October, Mammoth, Highly Suspect and Sleep Theory.
Discover more from True News Media
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
A crowd surfer is a person passed overhead from person to person at a concert, with the crowd’s hands supporting their weight. It is a high-energy practice common at rock, metal, and punk shows, where attendees are floated toward the front barricade. -Wiki