Rugby player dies from heart injury after 'chest-to-chest' contact during game

01 December 2023 , 15:07

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Arturas Rudys suffered a laceration to the heart (Image: Cambridge News)

A rugby player died after suffering a "traumatic" heart injury during a game, an inquest has heard.

Arturas Rudys, 27, was playing for Wisbech Rugby Club when the incident occurred during a "chest to chest" contact with another player. Despite immediate CPR at the scene, Arturas sadly passed away on October 14 this year.

The inquest into his death was opened by Coroner Elizabeth Gray at Lawrence Court in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The provisional cause of death was explained as blood entering the chest, a traumatic laceration to the heart and a sternal fracture. The inquest has been adjourned to a later date.

Following his tragic passing, Arturas' girlfriend and mother of his child, Jolita Kiseliovaite, set up a Go Fund Me page in his memory. On the fundraising page, she shared her grief, saying: "Its very very hard time for us right now. I can't give up, I have to live and show the right path to our child."

The post added: "My partner just passed away on the rugby competition in Wisbech. It's been very quickly and like in a dream. Person from another team while running, hurt Arturas chest or neck, after this he didn't get up."

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Arturas, originally from Lithuania, had been a part of the Wisbech Rugby Club community since 2013. The club paid tribute to him, describing him as a "hugely valued and respected member."

Staff and fellow players also paid tribute to Arturas after the shock death. A shirt pinned to a tree at the club bears the tribute: "Arturas our team mate, our brother, our 14 forever." Flowers were also left at Wisbech Rugby Club in October.

Speaking in October, David Dobson, the Wisbech club secretary, said "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." To donate, visit Help us, if you can, organised by Jolita Kiseliovaite.

Bradley Jolly