RUGBY ACE DEATH RIDDLE
...and team-mate fights for life in Sri Lanka
A DURHAM rugby player has died while on tour in Sri Lanka.
The club have named the player as 25-year-old Thomas Howard.
His teammate Tom Baty, 26, remains in hospital.
The two men, both from Durham, suffered breathing problems and were taken to hospital in Colombo, the country’s capital.
Durham City RFC confirmed the both the players’ identities in an official statement yesterday evening.
It said: “The Club is now in a position to confirm the names of the two members of the touring party that received medical attention in Sri Lanka.
“The deceased is Thomas Howard, 25 from Durham City. He was admitted to hospital in Colombo after suffering breathing problems on Sunday, 13th May.
“Tom Baty, 26 also from Durham City was admitted to hospital in Colombo after suffering breathing problems on Sunday, 13th May and remains in hospital receiving treatment.
“The Howard and Baty families have requested that their right to privacy is respected.
“Further information will be provided when available.”
According to Sri Lankan police, the players went to a nightclub after the match and returned to their hotel in the early hours of Sunday.
The two players are said to have complained of breathing difficulties at around 10am.
The Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union is looking into the matter.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokeswoman confirmed it is dealing with the incident and said: “Our staff are supporting the family of a British man following his death in Sri Lanka, and are in contact with the Sri Lankan hospital services.”
She added: “We are assisting the family of a British man who has been hospitalised in Sri Lanka, and are in contact with the Sri Lankan medical services.”
Tributes have been paid to the young player on the team’s official Facebook page.
One said: “Our condolences to the family for the loss of an extremely fine young man and our thoughts and best wishes for the recovery of another. We are here to support if needed.”