A sports star has died while he was away with his team before a match. He was 31.
South African rugby player Hyron Andrews “died after a fall” at a hotel in La Rochelle, France, the South African National Rugby Team (SA Rugby) announced on Friday, Oct. 16.
Emergency services were called to the Atalante-Relais Thalasso hotel in Sainte-Marie-de-Ré at around 10:15 a.m. local time on Oct. 16, when they found Andrews unresponsive in the shower after suffering a heart attack, the BBC and Metro reported.
The Johannesburg Lions player, who also played for the KZN Sharks and Sale Sharks in England, was scheduled to participate in a match at the European Champions Cup on Saturday, Oct. 17, SA Rugby said.
An investigation into Andrews’ death remains ongoing.
The Lions said in a statement that they are “deeply saddened” by Andrews’ death.
“This devastating news has sent shockwaves through the international rugby community,” the team said, adding that Andrews “was a valued member of the Lions family.”
“His loss will be felt profoundly by his teammates, coaches, supporters and all who had the privilege of knowing him,” the Lions continued
“Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences go to Hyron’s wife, Maiglin, their young sons, and the entire Andrews family,” added the sports team.
Andrews was born in Paarl, and he started his rugby career in 2015, playing for the Junior Springboks and then the KZN Sharks and Sale Sharks in England. In July 2024, he returned to his home country to join the Lions, per SA Rugby and In Touch Sports.
“This is terrible and distressing news; our hearts go out to Hyron’s family and the whole Lions rugby community,” Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union, said in a statement. “Hyron was a respected member of the rugby community whose contribution to the game and impact on those around him will be remembered with great fondness.”
“His untimely passing is a devastating loss, and we share in the grief of all who knew and loved him,” he added.
Andrews’ death comes as the Lions are set to make their debut at the European Champions Cup on Oct. 17. The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) confirmed a day prior that the team is going ahead with the match in Andrews’ honor.
“The squad, as a group, have chosen to play tomorrow as planned in honour of their teammate,” EPCR said. “In memory of Hyron, a moment’s silence will be held ahead of every Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup match this weekend.”
The Sainte-Marie-de-Ré police and Atalante-Relais Thalasso hotel did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.