Second rugby player dies in Sri Lanka

A second British amateur rugby player has died on tour in Sri Lanka, his club confirmed.

In a statement, Durham City Rugby Football Club said it was with “great sadness” that they announced the passing of 26-year-old Tom Baty on Tuesday afternoon.

It follows the death of his teammate Thomas Howard, 25, after the pair were both admitted to hospital in the city of Colombo on Sunday due to breathing difficulties.

Mr Howard’s death was confirmed in a club statement which was issued on Monday.

The players, both from Durham, were on tour with one of the club’s teams called the Clems Pirates.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the club requested that the privacy of their families would be “respected and upheld at this difficult time.”

The club previously said that in both cases the breathing problems were non-rugby related. In a statement, Durham City RFC president Richard Wilkinson said: “Both players and Clems Pirates hold a special place in our rugby family, and our continued support is unconditional.”

The Foreign Office said it was assisting the families.