Flight linked to Lomu death

Memorial service

JONAH LOMU’S death was most likely from a blood clot on a lung associated with air travel back to New Zealand after the Rugby World Cup, former All Blacks doctor John Mayhew says.

The doctor and close friend made the case for the blood clot in an interview with the BBC Five Live show in Britain yesterday.

Lomu died last week at the age of 40, ending a long battle with a chronic kidney condition that included a transplant.

‘‘He returned from the UK via Dubai and appeared to be in good health before he died,’’ Mayhew told the BBC in reports repeated in Britain.

‘‘We think the most likely cause was a clot on the lung, which can be a complication of A public memorial service is to be held for Jonah Lomu at Eden Park in Auckland next Monday at 1pm.

Prime Minister John Key said the service would be open to anyone who wanted to remember ‘‘the significant contribution Jonah made’’ to rugby and the wider community.

He expected attendance to be in the ‘‘tens of thousands’’ and costs would be borne by the Government. A private funeral for Lomu will be held on December 1. long-distance travel.

‘‘Jonah was at greater risk of that happening because of his renal condition.

‘‘The other possibility

is

a cardiac death, but on the balance of probabilities it was probably a massive clot on the lung.’’

Mayhew also indicated that Lomu’s death would have been ‘‘instantaneous’’.

‘‘Soon after, we tried to resuscitate him, but he was comfortable and I think it was instantaneous. He was unaware of what had happened.

‘‘It’s just one of those tragic complications that can occur in people with chronic renal conditions.’’

Mayhew said no-one had expected Lomu’s death so soon, despite his health issues

‘‘Jonah was aware he was not going to live a long life but 40 is far too young. We anticipated he would go a lot longer than that.’’