A top British rugby player died after suffering a heart attack after being tackled by two players during a game.
Arturas Rudys, 27, collapsed during the game before emergency services arrived at the scene in Cambridgeshire.
Tragically, Rudys could not be revived.
As Sky News reported, Diss Rugby Football Club, Wisbech’s opponents in the Eastern Counties First Division fixture, said in a post on Facebook the game had been abandoned following the incident.
A statement released on Wisbech Rugby Club’s website on Sunday said:
“It is with great sadness that the club announces the death of Arturas Rudys during a match played on Saturday 14th October.
“Arturas, aged 27, was a hugely valued and respected member of our club who began his time at Wisbech RFC in 2013.
“Wisbech RFC thanks everyone who helped Arturas in his immediate moments of need yesterday, including, club first aiders, teammates, and Diss RFC.
“The club also wishes to thank the emergency services and first responders who attended the scene.
“As a club we are in touch with Arturas’ family to offer our heartfelt sympathies and support.”
His partner, Jolita Kiseliovaite, said the pair had a two-year-old son together. A fundraising page she set up has raised £6,000.
Club secretary David Dobson described him as a “lad who was eager to improve his game.”
He told the PA news agency:
“He was, right from the start, a very polite and personable young man keen to get involved in rugby.
“He played some rugby in Lithuania before the family moved to England, and he got involved in the club.
“He made an immediate impact with players his own age and players older.”
A GoFundMe page set up by Mr Rudys’ partner of four years, Jolita Kiseliovaite, had raised over £7,155 at the time of writing.
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