South African rugby player Hyron Andrews died from aortic dissection

South African rugby lock Hyron Andrews died from an aortic dissection, his club confirmed on Wednesday following an autopsy report. The Irish Examiner, Irish Times, and Daily Mail all reported that the 31-year-old player was found unconscious at a team hotel on Friday ahead of a European Champions Cup match. [1][2][3]

An aortic dissection is a tear in the main artery of the body. French media reported that Andrews was found unconscious inside a shower cubicle at a hotel on the Ile de Re in France, according to the Irish Examiner and the Irish Times. The Daily Mail added that he was found at the Atalante-Relais Thalasso Hotel, where emergency services were unable to save him. [1][2][3]

Andrews played as a lock for the South African Lions in the United Rugby Championship and was a former player for Sale Sharks. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the match against French side La Rochelle went ahead on Saturday evening in honour of Andrews, following a minute of silence. [1][2][3][9][11]

The Lions Rugby Company issued a statement on behalf of the Andrews family confirming the autopsy findings. The BBC, Sky Sports, and The Times also reported that the player died of natural causes. [1][2][4][5][6]