Hyron Andrews died of tear in artery around heart - autopsy
An autopsy reveals former Sale rugby player Hyron Andrews died at 31 from an aortic tear at his team hotel base in France.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Hyron Andrews passed away from natural causes at the age of 31, autopsy confirms.
- His death was caused by an aortic tear that filled his heart muscle sac with blood.
- The rugby player's body has not yet been repatriated to South Africa.
- His team-mates proceeded with their Champions Cup match to honor his memory.
Hyron Andrews, the former Sale second row who was found dead at his team's hotel base in France, passed away from natural causes according to the results of an autopsy. The 31-year-old player, who had joined the Johannesburg-based Lions during the summer, was discovered unconscious inside a shower cubicle ahead of a scheduled Champions Cup match.
Medical examiners determined that the athlete suffered a tear in the aorta, the primary artery responsible for carrying blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. The rupture resulted in blood filling the muscular sac that surrounds the heart. An aortic tear is characterized as a rare and highly dangerous medical condition typically triggered by undetected high blood pressure or congenital birth defects.
An aortic dissection is a severe medical emergency where the inner layer of the aorta tears, allowing blood to flow between the layers of the wall and force them apart. This disrupts normal blood flow and can lead to rapid catastrophic bleeding into the pericardial sac surrounding the heart, often resulting in sudden fatality if not treated immediately.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Investigators had initially explored multiple theories regarding his sudden death, including a potential fall, a heart attack, or an aneurysm where a weakened blood vessel wall ruptures. The autopsy findings ultimately confirmed the exact cause of death. Meanwhile, arrangements to return his body to his native South Africa are still ongoing.
"To a man, [they] loved playing with Hyron and being around him."
Alex Sanderson, Sale Director of Rugby
Despite the tragic loss, Andrews' team-mates chose to move forward with their fixture against La Rochelle on Saturday as a tribute to him. Visiting players were warmly applauded by home supporters as they entered the Stade Marcel-Deflandre, while several Lions team-mates were visibly moved to tears during a minute of silence observed prior to the kick-off.
Sale, the club where Andrews spent two and a half seasons, also shared heartfelt tributes following the news. Alex Sanderson, the club's director of rugby, reflected on the deep bonds shared within the squad, emphasizing how much the players cherished having him as a teammate and a companion on and off the pitch.
Source: BBC Sport
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