Danny
14-07-2004, 07:02 PM
'Rugby player dies after collapse during game'
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
RUGBY HEAVEN
A man died after making a tackle during a weekend rugby match in Tauranga, New Zealand.
A post-mortem examination would be held today on Malcolm Keith Cheyne after the 32-year-old self-employed electrician collapsed at Tauranga Domain about 1.45pm on Saturday.
Witnesses said he was playing centre when he tackled a player from the Arataki team about 20 minutes into the first half.
He left the field with breathing difficulties and was taken to Tauranga Hospital, where he died.
It was understood Mr Cheyne suffered an aneurism in the brain.
His Fat Snappers team coach and captain, Gavin Hays-Jones, said the incident had rocked members of the close-knit team, who were rallying round to help his partner and family.
"It was just one of those things it's a tackle he'd made a thousand times in his life," Mr Hays-Jones said.
Senior Sergeant Ross Bielby, of Tauranga police, said police were investigating the death for the coroner, but there were no suspicious circumstances.
Mr Cheyne's mother Lynne said today her son "lived for his rugby".
He was a keen barefoot waterskier, played touch rugby and fished.
She believed her son died from a burst blood vessel in his head that could have happened at any time not necessarily because of the tackle.
"He did a tackle, stood up, then sank to his knees," Mrs Cheyne said. "But it wasn't the rugby game that killed him. It could have happened any time."
Before the game, the Fat Snappers and opponents Arataki, had held a minutes silence for an Arataki player who died from cancer.
Mr Cheyne's funeral would be at Waihi Beach on Wednesday.
NZPA
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
RUGBY HEAVEN
A man died after making a tackle during a weekend rugby match in Tauranga, New Zealand.
A post-mortem examination would be held today on Malcolm Keith Cheyne after the 32-year-old self-employed electrician collapsed at Tauranga Domain about 1.45pm on Saturday.
Witnesses said he was playing centre when he tackled a player from the Arataki team about 20 minutes into the first half.
He left the field with breathing difficulties and was taken to Tauranga Hospital, where he died.
It was understood Mr Cheyne suffered an aneurism in the brain.
His Fat Snappers team coach and captain, Gavin Hays-Jones, said the incident had rocked members of the close-knit team, who were rallying round to help his partner and family.
"It was just one of those things it's a tackle he'd made a thousand times in his life," Mr Hays-Jones said.
Senior Sergeant Ross Bielby, of Tauranga police, said police were investigating the death for the coroner, but there were no suspicious circumstances.
Mr Cheyne's mother Lynne said today her son "lived for his rugby".
He was a keen barefoot waterskier, played touch rugby and fished.
She believed her son died from a burst blood vessel in his head that could have happened at any time not necessarily because of the tackle.
"He did a tackle, stood up, then sank to his knees," Mrs Cheyne said. "But it wasn't the rugby game that killed him. It could have happened any time."
Before the game, the Fat Snappers and opponents Arataki, had held a minutes silence for an Arataki player who died from cancer.
Mr Cheyne's funeral would be at Waihi Beach on Wednesday.
NZPA