British amateur rugby player has died and a second is critically ill after suffering breathing problems during a tour of Sri Lanka.
Thomas Howard, 25, was taken to hospital in the city of Colombo on Sunday and died shortly afterwards, according to Durham City RFC. Tom Baty, 26, remains in hospital where he is being treated.
They were on tour with the Clems Pirates team, which is described as a veterans’ outfit that raises money for charity based at Durham City RFC.
Police spokesman Ruwan Gunesekara said that some of the players went to a nightclub before returning to the team hotel in the early hours of Sunday. They reported respiratory problems at about 10am.
"Both men had returned from a nightclub and had complained of breathing difficulties, and they were admitted to the hospital, one died and another is in very critical condition,” he said, adding that a post-mortem examination would be conducted.
The club said the breathing problems were "non rugby related".
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