South African rugby lock Hyron Andrews dies of aortic dissection

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 15:38 · Archive

South African Lions lock Hyron Andrews, 31, died from an aortic dissection after being found unresponsive in a hotel shower in France.

Hyron Andrews, a 31-year-old lock forward, was found unresponsive in a locked shower cubicle at the Atalante-Relais Thalasso Hotel in France on Friday. Emergency services attended but were unable to save him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Lions Rugby Company confirmed that an autopsy revealed his death was caused by an aortic dissection, most likely occurring on an aortic aneurysm. The French authorities, who conducted the autopsy, described the cause of death as a tear in the aorta due to natural causes, which led to a significant accumulation of blood within the sac surrounding the heart.

Andrews had recently returned to his native South Africa to join the Lions this summer after departing English club Sale Sharks, for whom he made 45 appearances, including 19 for the Sharks last season. He left behind his wife, Maiglin, and young sons. His body remains in France in the care of the French authorities as the repatriation process to South Africa begins. The Lions Rugby Company stated that a timeline for the return of his body has not yet been determined.

How it is being reported

• Lions rugby star's cause of death confirmed after being found dead in hotel showerThe Lions have confirmed the cause of death of second-row Hyron Andrews, who passed away suddenly last Friday just one day before the club's Champions Cup debut against La RochelleMirror Sport · 21 Oct, 16:30
• Andrews died of tear in artery around heart - autopsyFormer Sale player Hyron Andrews - who was found dead at his new team's hotel base before a Champions Cup match - died of natural causes, an autopsy finds.BBC News · 21 Oct, 15:39
• Cause of death of rugby star Hyron Andrews, 31, confirmed following 'tear of the aorta' after he was discovered in locked shower cubicle as family begin process of repatriating his body to South AfricaThe 31-year-old, who played for the South African Lions, was found unresponsive in a hotel room on Friday, before his club's Champions Cup game with La Rochelle.Daily Mail Sport · 21 Oct, 15:14
• Hyron Andrews’ cause of death confirmed after tragedy hits South African rugbyThe sport paid tribute to Hyron Andrews across Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup matches last weekend, with South African rugby in mourning after the lock forward’s passing in La RochelleIndependent Sport · 21 Oct, 14:44

In this story: Hyron Andrews · South African Lions · La Rochelle · Sale Sharks · France · South Africa

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