The tragic circumstances surrounding the demise of former Sale Sharks lock Hyron Andrews have been revealed in an post-mortem report.
The 31-year-old, who performed for the South African Lions, was discovered unresponsive in a locked bathe on the Atalante-Relais Thalasso Resort on Friday, earlier than his membership’s Champions Cup recreation with La Rochelle.
Emergency providers arrived however had been unable to avoid wasting him and he was pronounced lifeless on the scene.
His physique stays in France, the place the post-mortem revealed a tear in his aorta – a torn principal artery.
Andrews solely returned to his native South Africa to affix the Lions this summer season after departing English membership aspect Sale for whom he made 45 appearances. Of these, 19 got here final season.
A Lions Rugby assertion learn: ‘Lions Rugby Firm, on behalf of the Andrews household, confirms that, following an post-mortem report, Hyron’s demise was discovered to be attributable to an aortic dissection. This dissection most probably occurred on an aortic aneurysm.
‘The French authorities, who carried out the post-mortem and, in whose care Hyron’s physique at present stays, described the reason for demise as “a tear within the aorta (resulting from pure causes), which led to a big accumulation of blood inside the sac surrounding the center.”
‘The Andrews household asks for respect, privateness and endurance throughout this tough time because the repatriation course of begins.
Hyron Andrews died in France on Friday earlier than Lions’ Champions Cup conflict at La Rochelle
Golf equipment throughout Europe paid tribute to Andrews earlier than their matches on the weekend
‘A timeline for the return of Hyron’s physique to South Africa has not but been decided. Additional data can be communicated when it turns into accessible and underneath the steering of the household.’
Lions continued to play their Champions Cup recreation with La Rochelle the day after Andrews’ demise, shedding 31-14.
Andrews’ former membership boss, Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson, was amongst those that paid tribute: ‘Hyron was only a good man and team-mate. He was so expert on the sector however off it, he was at all times somebody you’d wish to have a beer with.
‘He was humorous and charismatic in his personal distinctive, dry means and the lads, to a person, liked enjoying with him and being round him. It was a giant transfer for Hyron and his spouse Maiglin to come back to England however he actually made a second house in Manchester and it was unimaginable to see how he and his household embraced the membership and space.
‘Most significantly, he was a loving husband and a doting father to his two attractive boys. It was an absolute privilege to get to know him. It’s simply completely devastating for everybody.’
Andrews was a former South Africa Below-20 worldwide.
Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union, stated shortly after Andrews’ demise: ‘That is horrible and distressing information. Our hearts exit to Hyron’s household and the entire Lions rugby group.
‘There aren’t any phrases to adequately convey our shock and the depth of sympathy we really feel for his spouse Maiglin and for his prolonged household, pals, team-mates and family members throughout this time of immense sorrow.
‘Hyron was a revered member of the rugby group whose contribution to the sport and impression on these round him can be remembered with nice fondness.
‘His premature passing is a devastating loss and we share within the grief of all who knew and liked him.
‘The ideas and prayers of all the South African rugby household are with Maiglin and all these mourning his loss. Might they discover energy, consolation and peace within the reminiscences they shared with him and within the assist of these round them.’
