Samoan rugby player dies

SAMOAN rugby player Kelly Meafua has died after falling off a bridge in south-west France, his club said.

Montauban, a club in France’s second division, said in a statement over the weekend that the 31-year-old player died in the early hours of Saturday after a fall into the Tarn river. According to media reports in France, Meafu jumped off the bridge after a night out with friends to celebrate a victory.

Montauban said one of Meafu’s teammates tried to rescue him. The player had to be transported to a hospital, where he was treated for hypothermia.

“Kelly was a player who was well liked by everybody. His joy for life was infectious and radiant. Today we have lost a player, a friend and a brother,” the club said.