Maura Higgins pens emotional tribute to friend after blaming herself for his death

Love Island star Maura Higgins paid tribute to her late best friend, Andrew Rowan, on the anniversary of his death. Andrew tragically died at the age of 26 in a devastating motorcycle crash. He was involved in a collision with three cars in Athlone, Ireland, in 2017, with Maura previously admitting she 'blamed herself' over the tragedy.

Maura took to her Instagram Stories to share a black-and-white video compilation of them in the car, hanging out and laughing in bed with a Snapchat filter on. She captioned the heartbreaking post: "Another year has passed.... but never a day I don't think of you!!! Love you always Andrew," and added a dove emoji and a white heart emoji.

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The TV personality previously revealed she felt guilty after his death. The Love Island star felt that the events of that tragic day might have unfolded differently if she had made other choices.

During an appearance on the run by Married At First Sight expert Paul Brunson, Maura discussed the day of the crash as she revealed her guilt.

Reflecting on the day, said: "For so long I blamed myself for it because when I look back at that day, the day was so crazy. I can't work my head around it. He called me and he'd finished work early, which wasn't really meant to happen.

"He was like, 'I have finished work early, let's grab some food.' I was like, 'I can't be effed, I am still in my pyjamas, I really can't be f***ed'."

She continued, admitting she still wonders about her decision: "I am not as bad as I was with it, but I still think, 'Why didn't I just go with him?' He wouldn't have been on the motorbike, we would have been in his car, we would have got food and maybe the day would have been different."

While holding back tears, she said: "I don't want to cry. I am so not a crier as well. I think I just beat myself up over it because it would have been different."

When Paul asked her if she still blamed herself, she responded: "I just know it would have been different if I just got f***ing dressed and wasn't so lazy."

Maura said she saw him earlier in the day and questioned him when she saw him on the bike. "He's not a biker and every time he was on it, I just didn't understand. I just didn't like it. He was like, 'It's a great day, it is a lovely day outside'," she added.

"I will never forget when he left, he said he was going to take a drive on the bike. I went into the toilet and I could hear his motorbike, and I got these shivers.

"I remember thinking to myself, 'Maura, stop thinking bad.' Then a few hours later, I get a phone call. It is such a weird day when I look back."

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