A beauty therapist tragically passed away after twisting her knee at a friend’s hen party.
Gemma Harries, 31, was enjoying a trip away with her friends when she ended up in hospital with a dislocated knee in November 2022.
Tragically, just two months after, she suddenly collapsed and died after developing a deep vein thrombosis in the swollen knee.
Her partner Joseff Edwards is now urging others to looks out for the signs of blood clots after Ms Harries’ tragic death.
He is also fundraising for Wales Air Ambulance in her memory, saying he wants to make ‘something good out of a horrible situation’.
Gemma Harries (pictured) was enjoying a trip away with her friends when she ended up in hospital with a dislocated knee
The couple became official in 2021 after spending their second date in a supermarket car park due to lockdown restrictions
Ms Harries, from Carmarthenshire, south-west Wales, had been treated for a dislocated knee in hospital in Yeovil, Somerset, last year.
She then later received treatment closer to home at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen, Wales.
However, the swelling in her knee persisted and did not go down.
Sadly, in January, the 31-year-old passed away at her partner’s home, despite the Wales Air Ambulance rushing to the scene.
Despite their best efforts, she could not be saved.
In urging people to know and understand the signs of blood clots, her partner said said: ‘It wasn’t really something we ever thought would happen from a dislocated knee, but it did.
‘I don’t think any of us knew what a blood clot looks like or the side effects. We know what to look out for when it’s a heart attack or a stroke.
‘People really would know what to look for but with a blood clot I think it’s totally different. Now, looking at it, you’d see the signs if you knew.’
Mr Edwards is now fundraising for Wales Air Ambulance in his partner’s memory to mark his 30th birthday.
Ms Harries’ partner has currently raised over £9,000 in her memory for the Wales Air Ambulance
Tragedy struck two months later when Ms Harries suddenly collapsed – and died after developing a deep vein thrombosis in the swollen knee. Pictured: Gemma Harries with her partner Joseff Edwards
He has currently raised over £9,000.
Speaking out about why he has decided to raise money for the ambulance, Mr Edwards said: ‘I just wanted to do something good out of a horrible situation so I decided to fundraise for the Wales Air Ambulance. They’re fantastic.
‘I just think it’s something that she would want me to do. With my birthday, she’s already planned what was happening.’
He added: ‘She planned an open house and family get together, she booked a hotel.
‘We’re carrying on with the plans and I thought the fundraiser would be doing something good out of a horrible situation, just for her, and I think she’d be proud of that.’
The couple became official in 2021 after spending their second date in a supermarket car park due to lockdown restrictions.
Recalling their memorable first date, Mr Edwards said: ‘We parked our cars next door to each other and had a Starbucks and we chatted through a window there.
‘She was lovely. She was the best.
‘You can’t really describe her with words because the first time meeting her you’d feel you’d known her for a long, long time. She was just really homely and down to earth. She’d help anyone out.’
Ms Harries leaves behind her mother Joyce, father Hugh, her brother Jason, and sister-in-law, Hannah, and their children three-year-old Albie and six-month-old Tilly.
