As if biking, swimming and running weren’t enough, Shane O’Reilly’s triathlon included an additional challenge.
During the cycling portion of Sunday’s Dublin City Triathlon in Phoenix Park, home for centuries to hundreds of wild deer, O’Reilly crashed into a buck.
As a group of riders rounded a corner, two deer streaked across the path. The second deer attempted to leap over the cyclists, colliding with O’Reilly, who cracked his helmet but was otherwise unharmed.
“The helmet definitely saved me,” O’Reilly told Irish broadcaster RTÉ after the race. “Apart from that, my shoulder was a bit sore and I had a headache.”
The deer also escaped injury, but the incident is a good reminder of the dangers the animal faces on roads in the United Kingdom. The government estimates between 40,000 and 74,000 deer are killed each year in traffic collisions.
Erik Scraggs, a spectator who documented this epidemic’s dangers on Sunday, told the BBC, “I never envisaged that they would actually try and leap over the cyclists. It all happened so fast.”
O’Reilly still managed to finish the race.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.