Rugby mad dad died of heart failure
CULCHETH Eagles rugby club has announced that a heart attack caused the sudden unexpected death of its player Adam ‘Carney’ Cooper in Runcorn.
The team had been the visitors for a game against Runcorn ARLFC at Heath playing fields on Saturday, July 1.
Jo Eland, club treasurer, issued an update on the Culcheth Eagles website that said the cause of death had been confirmed as acute cardiac failure.
She said it could have happened at any time and was not related to the game.
The 31-year-old, who was engaged to be married, collapsed during the match and was taken by ambulance to hospital but medics could not save him.
His death sparked a huge outpouring of support for and from the club.
A fundraising campaign for his family has now passed the £11,000 mark towards what is now £12,500 target, far passing its initial goal of £2,500.
The club also held a festival in his memory on Sunday.
Donate to the family fund at https:// www. justgiving. com/ crowdfunding/ culchethcarney2017 or send a cheque made out to Culcheth Eagles to Jo Eland, Culcheth Eagles, Shaw Street, Culcheth, Warrington, WA3 5EU.
She said a full list of donations will be posted on the website.
Writing on justgiving.com she said: “Once again the original target has been exceeded, we are all so overwhelmed with the level of support and the amount of love for an ordinary lad who loved the game of rugby league.
“So again and without any expectations we have reset the target and thank those who have donated for their generosity and kind words of support and thank those in advance who plan to donate.”
Defibrillator Cardiac Science has also donated one of its devices to be kept at Heath playing fields in case of emergency following a request from Runcorn ARLFC player and committee member Kevin Hendry in light of the tragedy. ●