Eton pupil, 17, dies playing Field Game in front of father
As house captain of games at Eton there is no greater honour than leading your team out against a squad of old boys in a tournament exclusive to the school’s hallowed playing fields.
seventeen-year-old Raphael Pryor’s father was even there, cheering him on from the sidelines after competing at the same historic tie.
But what should have been a moment of pride turned to tragedy when his son collapsed during a game and died.
Raphael was playing Eton’s Field Game and fell to the ground in front of his stunned friends after he had felt unwell.
Earlier on his father had shouted ‘Well played Raphy’, as he spectated.
The sport, which last saturday saw nine school teams take on squads of Old Etonians, is an ancestor of football but uses scrums similarly to rugby and can be traced back to 1847.
Two teams of 11 using a Gaelic football – which is harder and smaller than the standard ball – try to score goals or complete a five point play similar to a try in rugby, with the chance of a two point conversion.
Raphael’s parents, Michael Pryor and sabine Vandenbroucke, said they felt ‘cruelly deprived’ by the death of their son, who was in his final year of sixth form.
‘He died doing what he loved’
In a statement, the couple said: ‘We are devastated by the tragic death of our beautiful son and only child Raphael.
‘We take comfort from the fact that he was doing what he loved, he knew he was loved, and he was surrounded by friends.
‘Raphael made us better people and we will miss him so.’
The statement continued: ‘He was enthusiastic, empathetic, quick-witted, funny, and kind. He was a fascinating bilingual fusion of his Belgian and English origins.
‘As the many wonderful messages we have received show, Raphael was hitting his stride as adulthood approached, a muchloved and respected leader on the sporting field and within the community of his boys house.
‘He brought a fast-growing emotional intelligence to everything he did. He even surprised us by excelling in a leading role in a play last autumn. He was an excellent fisherman and skier, adored by those who taught him.
‘He also loved history. He was to spend the winter as a ski instructor and hoped to read French and history at university, connecting his roots with his passion.
‘It is desperate to be so cruelly deprived of what we hoped would be a wonderful future, but we are so grateful to have participated in a life full of love and happiness, friendship, and memories that will never be forgotten.’
The £50,000-a-year school flew its flag at half mast for the first time since the death of the late Queen following the tragedy.
simon Henderson, head of Eton College, said Raphael had the ‘brightest of futures ahead of him’ and had ‘excelled’ as a house captain of the Field Game.
He said in a statement: ‘Raphael was an outstanding young man who lived with joy in his heart, sharing it widely and powerfully.
‘He had the brightest of futures ahead of him. In his life at Eton, Raphael brought so much to his friends and to those who taught and cared for him, including to those who played with and against him on the games field, where he excelled as one of the house captains of games.
‘The whole Eton community is deeply saddened and shocked by this news. As we mourn his tragic death, our hearts go out to Raphael’s parents, his family and his friends.’
On-site counsellors at the school are providing support for pupils and staff.
When they attended the school both Prince William and Prince Harry played the game, which along with the Wall Game is exclusive to Eton.