Rugby player, 27, dies on pitch during club game at Wisbech

A rugby player has died on the pitch during a club game in Cambridgeshire.

Arturas Rudys, 27, died after suffering cardiac arrest following a tackle during the Eastern Counties First Division game against Diss on Saturday afternoon.

Eastern Counties rugby said the incident happened during "chest to chest" contact on the pitch as the player was competing for the ball.

They said despite being being given immediate CPR by opposition players, Mr Rudys could not be revived.

The game was immediately abandoned and the club has cancelled all sessions as a mark of respect.

David Dobson, secretary at Wisbech Rugby Club, said Mr Rudys had been a hugely valued and respected member of the club since 2013.

He added: "The club is deeply saddened by the events of yesterday.

"We are grateful for the support of the local community and the wider rugby community and also for the expertise of the emergency services who came to help."

Wisbech Rugby Club later issued a statement saying: "We know this will be a very difficult time for the player’s family, friends, teammates and the wider club community but all can be assured of our full support."

The club added: "Wisbech RFC thanks everyone who helped Arturas in his moment of need yesterday including, teammates, the opposing team, club first aiders, the emergency services and first responders who attended the scene and for all the messages of support we have received from people within the rugby family and beyond."

"As a Club we are in touch with Arturas’ family to offer our heartfelt sympathies and support. In whatever you are doing today, please pause for a moment to think of Arturas, his family, loved ones and friends, both in the UK and in his native Lithuania."

The incident has triggered an outpouring of grief and support from rugby clubs across the east of England.

A shirt pinned to a tree at the club bears the moving tribute: "Arturas our team mate, our brother, our 14 forever."

Roger Pierson, from the Eastern Counties Rugby Union, said there had been a collision but that no head contact had been involved.

He said two of the Diss players who were medically qualified immediately went to the aid of the injured man but that he died on the pitch.

Mr Pierson described the tackle as a "rugby incident" and said everything was being done to support all the players involved.

"The RFU and the Injured Players' Foundation are already involved and that help will be offered to Wisbech and also to Diss rugby," he said.

The East of England Ambulance Service said two ambulances, an ambulance officer and the air ambulance were sent after reports a person had collapsed during the game on Saturday.

A spokesperson said: "The patient, a male in his 20s, was in cardiac arrest and responders carried out CPR, including using a defibrillator.

"Sadly , despite the efforts of paramedics, the patient could not be resuscitated, and our thoughts are with their family and friends at this tragic time.”

David Dobson said Mr Rudys "was, right from the start, a very polite and personable young man keen to get involved in rugby.

"He played some rugby in Lithuania before the family moved to England, and he got involved in the club.

"He made an immediate impact with players his own age and players older as a lad who was eager to improve his game and make himself available to play."

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