The Bangladeshi-born doctor lost her life in the single vehicle crash on Monday morning that left her husband, also a medic, fighting for his life. They were travelling home after a pre-fast Ramadan meal
The victim’s husband, Dr. Faruk Hossain, is now in critical condition in hospital.(Image: GoFundMe)
A doctor killed in a Sligo road smash that left her medic husband fighting for his life was in remission from cancer at the time, it has emerged.
The Irish Mirror has learned that Dr Mahbuba Akhter – who was killed in the single-vehicle accident in rural Sligo in the early hours of Monday morning – had been unable to work for several years as she fought the illness, friends have revealed.
“She had cancer for several years and was unable to work because of it. But she was in remission,” a friend told us.
The Bangladeshi doctor, who was 55 and was living in Letterkenny in Co Donegal, died at the scene when the car in which she was a passenger crashed on the N15 at Grellagh, Castlegal in the early morning accident.
Her husband, Letterkenny University Hospital doctor Faruk Hossain, suffered serious injuries in the incident.
We have learned that the couple and their two sons, one in his 20s and the other in his teens, were travelling home from Castlebar in Co Mayo when the accident happened.
We have also established that they had been in Castlebar as part of the Muslim month-long rite of Ramadan.
Ramadan is a month-long observance where Muslims fast and don’t drink anything between sunrise and sunset.
The family had gone to Castlebar to have a last meal – called Suhoor – before the fasting began at sunlight at 5.15am.
A friend told us the family ate their meal before dawn and were headed back home to Letterkenny when the tragedy happened.
Gardai say the accident happened at around 3.30am.
Sligo University Hospital. where Dr Hossain is being treated for serious injuries.
Dr Hossain suffered serious injuries in the crash and was taken to Sligo University Hospital for treatment, where he is described as being critically ill.
Obadur Rahma Ruhel, who is a leading member of the Bangladeshi community in Donegal, said people were devastated by the tragedy.
He said: “The community is shocked. Our priority now is the welfare of the two sons and praying for a miracle for Dr Faruk.”
Funeral arrangements are now being made for Dr Akhter, and it is likely to take place in Dublin in the coming days.
Pals have already set up a GoFundMe page to help the family.
In a post on GoFundMe, Dr. Faruk, which is also spelled Farooq, was praised as a beloved member of the community who has always been there for others in their time of need.
It reads: “This morning, Dr. Farooq, a senior doctor in the emergency department at Letterkenny Hospital, was involved in a tragic road traffic accident in Sligo. He is currently in critical condition after undergoing surgery and is now receiving intensive care at Sligo University Hospital.
“As a colleague, friend, and beloved member of the community, Dr. Farooq has always been there for others in their time of need. Now, he and his family need our support more than ever.
“We are deeply saddened by the heart-breaking loss of his wife, who died in the same accident. Their children were also in the car during the incident, adding to the immense trauma this family is enduring.
“Please keep Dr. Farooq and his children in your thoughts and prayers. Any support you can give will help ease some of the burdens facing the family during this profoundly painful time.”
Gardai are appealing for witnesses to the crash to come forward.
The force said: “Gardaà are appealing for witnesses following a fatal single-vehicle road traffic collision involving a car, that occurred at Grellagh, Castlegal, Co Sligo on Monday, 9th March 2026.
“Gardaà and emergency services responded to the incident, which occurred on the N15 at approximately 3:30am. A female passenger, aged in her 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body has been removed to the mortuary at Sligo University Hospital (SUH) and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course. The Coroner has been notified
“A passenger (male, 50s) was brought to SUH, where his condition is described as critical.
“The driver (male, 20s) and the third passenger in the car (a male juvenile teenager) are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at SUH.
“The road had been closed for technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and has since reopened.
“Gardaà are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. Road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N15 at Castlegal – between Cliffoney and Tullaghan – between 3:10am and 3:40am on Monday 9th March 2026 are asked to make this footage available to investigating GardaÃ.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Sligo Garda Station on 071 915 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”
So far, more than €35,000 has been raised of the €40,000 target in the GoFundMe appeal. To donate, click here.
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