Lions player dies in hotel on eve of La Rochelle match
Johannesburg Lions rugby player Hyron Andrews has died suddenly at the age of 31 while the team was in France for a match. The club confirmed the tragedy, and a moment of silence will be observed at upcoming Champions Cup games.
Why it matters
The sudden death of a professional athlete is a significant event in the sports world, prompting tributes and safety discussions.
The opening round of this season's Investec Champions Cup has been rocked by tragedy, after the sudden death of a player for the Johannesburg Lions, ahead of their meeting with La Rochelle on Saturday.
Hyron Andrews was a second-row forward for the South African club, having joined from Sale Sharks during the summer.
The 31-year-old South African lined out against Leinster in the United Rugby Championship earlier this month, and previously played in the United Rugby Championshp and Super Rugby for the Durban Sharks.
According to French media reports emergency services were called to the Lions' team hotel on Il de Re, near La Rochelle, shortly after 10am and attended to the player, who was in cardiorespiratory arrest, having been found unconscious in a shower block. Attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.
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